Safety Alert – Driver Fatigue
Be Prepared. Arrive Home Safely.
Every year, fatigue contributes to serious and fatal crashes on Australian roads.
After a weekend camp, activity, or major event, leaders, parents, Rover Scouts, and
volunteers may drive home after long days, interrupted sleep, and physically
demanding activities.
- Being awake for about 17 hours has a similar effect on performance as
having a blood alcohol content of 0.05.
- Think about the time you have been at work or elsewhere prior to driving to
or from a scouting event.
- Fatigue-related crashes are often severe (because you can’t brake when you
are not conscious) and frequently occur when the driver is alone.
- Most sleep-related vehicle crashes happen between 2 am and 6 am, and
between 2 pm and 4 pm.
- Fatigue is not only an issue on long trips. Any driver can suffer tiredness,
even on short trips. Over 50% of fatigue-related crashes happen within
25km of the departure point.
Scouts Victoria has produced a Drowsy Driver Video Resource.
Plan Before You Drive
Before leaving an activity:
✔ Get a good night's sleep whenever possible.
✔ Avoid driving immediately after an exhausting weekend.
✔ Does the meeting need to be face-to-face, or can it be facilitated through
TEAMS?
✔ Share the driving if another licensed driver is available.
✔ Plan a rest stop at least every 2 hours.
✔ Avoid driving during times you would normally be asleep.
✔ Understand whether any medication may cause drowsiness.
✔ If you're already feeling fatigued, arrange alternative transport or stay overnight if
possible.
Look After Each Other
Event organisers, passengers, fellow leaders and parents all have a role to play.
If someone looks tired:
Speak up. Offer to drive. Suggest a rest break. Encourage them to stay
overnight. A simple conversation could prevent a tragedy.