Original source: NZ STUFF - http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3101210a11,00.html

Fatigue blamed for one in six truck crashes - study

The study, printed in Massey University's Research magazine, found accidents resulting from fatigue were more than three times higher than earlier estimates based on Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) crash reports.

The finding came from a study of truck accidents over 13 months.

For the study, the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit (CVIU) distributed 380 questionnaires to drivers involved in truck accidents in 2001 and 2002.

Driver fatigue was identified in three ways.

First the CVIU officers indicated on the crash report if they thought driver fatigue was a factor in the crash.

Then the drivers would tick a box on the questionnaire if they thought their own fatigue was a factor in the accident.

Of the 380 questionnaires sent out, 146 of the drivers completed them.

The study showed long driving hours, long duty hours and driving at specific times of the day were major factors in contributing to fatigue-related accidents.

Where the driver had driven for at least six hours, crashes were three times more likely to be seen as fatigue-related.

Crashes where the driver had been on duty for at least seven hours were about three times more likely to be caused by driver fatigue, and people driving between midnight and 8am were eight times more likely to have driver fatigue crashes.

A Road Transport Forum spokesman said because the study was based on the likely reasons for accidents, the actual number of fatigue-related accidents was probably lower.

He said drivers were required to take breaks, and truck companies should use an occupational health and safety guideline that deals with all the risks.

"Fatigue can affect all drivers but only truck drivers have regulated hours."

He said it was down to the operators to ensure drivers were complying with the law and taking appropriate breaks while they work.

However, he added that sometimes it was impossible to control how much rest a driver got.

"Drivers do have their own lives and companies can't regulate what people do in their off times."

The study follows a battle launched by a Wellington man against the LTSA over more education about the dangers of driving while tired.

Businessman Martin Jenkins' father died in February after an accident in which tiredness while driving was a factor.

Mr Jenkins said little was done in New Zealand to educate people about the dangers of driving while fatigued.

"There's been total negligence regarding any work done on drowsy driving to date in this country, despite the fact that it's been done extensively overseas."

But LTSA spokesman Andy Knackstedt said the LTSA took the fatigue problem very seriously and worked with police to ensure commercial drivers complied with driving hours regulations.

Among the regulations, a driver must not drive for more than five continuous hours, and had to have at least a half hour rest after five hours driving and before any more driving.

Over any 24-hour period, a driver must not spend more than 11 hours driving and must not spend more than 14 hours on duty.

LTSA figures show that between 2001 and 2003, driver fatigue had been a factor in 3 per cent of fatal truck accidents, and truck driver fatigue was a contributing factor in 4 per cent of truck crashes where injury was sustained.

Philippa Gander, director of the Sleep/Wake Research Centre, said in the report that the LTSA should take the lead in a major campaign to educate truck drivers and the general public about the dangers of driving when sleepy.

"When you are fatigued your reaction times slow, you don't steer as well, your speed control deteriorates, and your cognitive functioning is impaired. You don't have to be nodding off to be at risk."