Fatigue is a major factor in poor reaction times on the road. Even a one-second ‘micro-sleep’ takes the vehicle 28m down the road at 100kph and this becomes 33m at 120kph.”
| Speed | Lost reaction time | Distance travelled |
| 60kph | 1 second | 17 metres |
| 80kph | 1 second | 22 metres |
| 100kph | 1 second | 28 metres |
How do you recognise fatigue? As well as being tired, symptoms may include, but not limited to:
• Tired, sore or heavy limbs
• Excessive yawning
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Headaches
• Heavy eyes
• Seeing double
• Lane wandering
• Lagging movements
• Slurring (incoherent speech)
Driving any vehicle requires a sustained level of concentration and skill to keep maximum performance. But truck driving heightens this complex physical and mental task. Here are very recognisable symptoms leading to a dangerous micro-sleep
- Lost time – forget where you are going known as highway hypnosis
- Tired eyes – heavy eyelids, rapid blinking, and yawning
- Squinting and slow blinking
- Rubberneck and head nodding
| SURVIVAL TIMES FOR HUMANS | |
| NO FOOD | 3 - 4 WEEKS |
| NO WATER | 3 - 4 DAYS |
| NO SHELTER | 3 - 4 HOURS |
| NO SLEEP AT THE WHEEL OF A VEHICLE | 3-4 SECONDS |
Incentives weighted to high daily distances to increase productivity are dangerous – drivers will push overtime envelopes to their own detriment as money outweighs the risk
SANS 1395 also refers to this under driver wellness – vehicles shall not travel continuously for more than 240 km or three hours without stopping for at least five minutes, during which time the driver shall perform a visual inspection of the exterior of the vehicle; this procedure shall serve as a measure to verify load safety and shall also help to minimize driver fatigue
Botha concludes – “Responsible drivers cannot afford to be fatigued.”
If you wish to discuss this or for more information, please contact Hennie Botha at 031 713 3146
or at 074 331 1354
