The VTI National Transport Library Catalogue

Research shows that driver fatigue is a significant factor in approximately 20% of commercial road transport crashes. Surveys show that over 50% of long haul drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel. Increased crash risk occurs at night (peak levels at night can be 10 times daytime levels), the longer the working day and with irregular hours. Those fatigue factors that have been shown to influence road safety need to be better controlled in regulation policy and risk management. The most important factor that will ensure safety is to effectively implement and enforce regulation. Both working time and driving time need to be addressed in the same Regulation. The framework for the regulation of working and driving time needs to be broadened to cover complementary measures including training for drivers and operators. A co-ordinated programme of research is needed to address knowledge gaps and to evaluate the effectiveness of regulation.