Re: Driver Fatigue
Barry Campbell (campblbm@ozemail.com.au)
Wed, 29 Apr 1998 13:33:16 +1000
Bill wrote in message <35465743.863324DB@xtra.co.nz>...
>
>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
>
I agree with the above comments and one of the things I find amaving is the
hours road transport considers drivers can work compared to rail transport.
While I don't have the figures in front of me I seem to remember that truck
drivers can drive significantly longer periods that train drivers.
Admittedly, truckies can pull over and have a kip but this does not seem to
be the whole story. Perhaps this explains why trucks regularly run off
straight roads in good weather?
Barry Campbell