Media Release - 27 March 2002

The Minister responsible for the Transport Accident Commission, Bob Cameron, and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Andre Haermeyer, today launched a new TAC ad campaign about the dangers of driving while sleep deprived.

The Ministers were joined by Police and emergency service workers in a united effort to reduce accidents on our roads this Easter Long Weekend and to warn all drivers that driving while sleep deprived could be fatal.

Last Easter, seven people were killed and 109 were seriously injured on the State's roads – an increase of 22% on the previous year.

Mr Cameron said fatigue is a factor in more than a quarter of all crashes.

"In their haste to get away for a long weekend or holiday, many drivers overlook the effect of sleep deprivation on their concentration, reaction times and decision-making ability," he said.

"A driver who gets behind the wheel after 17 hours without sleep is impaired to the same extent as if driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.05."

"Drivers on long journeys must take a break at least every two hours and pull over to the side of the road for a 15 minute powernap the moment they start feeling drowsy," he said.

Three new TAC advertisements, which air from tonight, depict the tragic consequences of ignoring the symptoms of fatigue. The advertisements target three types of drivers at greater risk of having a fatigue-related accident: a tired shift worker, sleep-deprived party-goer and weary students.

When the drivers nod off momentarily, their cars travel out of control for some distance and into the path of a truck, family car or tree.

The campaign forms part of the State Government's Arrive Alive, road safety strategy, aimed at reducing Victoria's road toll by 20% by 2007.

Police and Emergency Services Minister, Andre Haermeyer said that while driver fatigue is not seen as a crime like drink-driving or excessive speeding, it can be just as fatal.

"Fatigue, drink-driving and speeding are all a matter of choice and you can take steps to avoid their dangers," he said. "If you are driving while fatigued you are a menace on the roads and your car is a dangerous weapon."

Mr Haermeyer said police would be undertaking a massive road blitz over Easter to target fatigue as well as speeding and drink driving.

"Drivers pulled over and fined by police should thank them for possibly saving their lives. While the penalty might hurt it is mild compared to the consequences of a serious road accident," he said.

SES Manager of Corporate Affairs, Peter Cocks, said more than 1,000 SES volunteers will be manning approximately 65 "Driver Reviver" stations around the State during the Easter period, encouraging motorists to break up their journey.

"We'd rather stand in the cold and make holiday-makers a cuppa [cup of tea], than cut them out of their crashed car a few kilometres up the road," he said.

The TAC urged drivers and their passengers to look out for symptoms of fatigue, including:

• frequent yawning;
• heavy or sore eyes;
• slow reactions;
• daydreaming or inability to fully concentrate;
• driving speed creeping up or down;
• impatience;
• poor gear changes; and
• feeling stiff or cramped.

Mr Cameron and Mr Haermeyer provided the following tips for drivers preparing for long trips over Easter:

• get a good night's sleep before heading off;
• don't travel for more than 8 to 10 hours in any one day, or at times you would normally be sleeping;
• don't drink any alcohol before or during the trip;
• take regular breaks, at least every two hours;
• share the driving where possible, and
• take a 15 minute powernap at the first signs of driver fatigue.