Drivers are four times more likely to crash if they’ve had less than five hours’ sleep, according to research by Monash University and the Transport Accident Commission.
The TAC quotes a second study, which found most respondents understood the risks of driving while tired and could identify the signs and symptoms.
The research backs a new TAC campaign ‘Driving tired? Wake up to yourself’ aimed at reminding drivers that being tired behind the wheel not only makes them a danger to themselves, but a danger to everyone on the roads.
The campaign is introduced by a confronting new television ad that shows a fatal collision caused by a tired driver crashing into another car with a mother and her young daughter.
Tired drivers contribute to around 20 per cent of fatal crashes on Victorian roads each year, while accounting for around 25 per cent of road trauma injuries at The Alfred and Royal Melbourne hospitals.
Bike riders have too often featured in these tragedies.
The campaign comes as this year’s Victorian road toll surpasses 100 – a total of 106 people have lost their lives on Victorian roads since January.
The Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne says: “We know most road accidents are preventable – that’s why we’re urging Victorians to make sure they’ve had a good night’s sleep before they get behind the wheel, because it could save someone’s life."
"Transport Accident Commission CEO Tracey Slatter says: “Lack of sleep can dramatically affect our ability to drive safely and this campaign will educate Victorians around the risks associated with driving tired and promote how much sleep you need before you are safe to drive.”
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