Fatigue

Not drunk, not speeding, just tired
Do you know you're four times more likely to have a fatal fatigue crash if you're driving between 10.00pm and dawn?

That's because your body's circadian rhythms are programming you to sleep.

Driver fatigue

Driving while sleep deprived, especially late at night and at dawn, increases the risk of having a ‘micro sleep' and losing control of your vehicle.

If you fall into a micro sleep and nod off at 100 km/h, you'll travel 100 metres in just four seconds, unconscious.

Fatigue on short trips

Fatigue isn't just a problem on long trips; drivers can also suffer from fatigue on short trips.

You may be tired even before you start driving

The pressures of life such as commuting, stress, work, study, caring for children, broken sleep or too little sleep at night can all drain your energies. This means that you may be tired even before you start driving.

Don't ignore the early warning signs of fatigue:

  • Yawning
  • Poor concentration
  • Tired eyes
  • Restlessness
  • Drowsiness
  • Slow reactions
  • Boredom
  • Over steering

Visit Transport NSW - Driver Fatigue for more information.

Rest Area Maps

NSW Rest Area maps are avaialble at Transport NSW - Rest Area Maps.

Related Information

Transport NSW

Back to top