> The now famous phrase "driver fatigue" that is so well known with the
> roads has now spread to our railways.
<sarcastic stuff snipped>
If you don't understand the importance of fatigue on transport driver
safety, then you should do some reading on the subject. Issues such as the
effects of shift work, rhythmical noise in the cab, driver lifestyle, shift
lengths, stand down periods between shifts, split shifts, rostered days off,
etc have all been the subject of considerable study BECAUSE driver fatigue
has been clearly identified as an important issue in many major accidents.
A fatigued driver may fall asleep, which is an obvious hazard. However, it
is now well known that tired drivers display slow reaction times, and
increasingly poor judgement and discrimination as they become more fatigued.
As employers try to screw more production out of staff, they run into the
limiting frailties of the human frame - and too many have then blamed the
drivers for the shortcomings, and not the rosters they have posted and crude
rest "facilities" they have provided.
Many western governments have responded with mandatory limits on hours of
duty. These are generally crude responses, but they do at least curb the
excesses of employers, and some macho or desperate drivers.
Bill