Fatigue

According to Safe Work Australia, fatigue is mental and/or physical exhaustion that reduces your ability to perform your work safely and effectively.

You may experience fatigue for several reasons, including:

• medical causes or illness;
• lifestyle (such as alcohol or drug use, or lack of regular exercise);
• work-related stress; or
• mental health problems.

Passenger transport drivers can experience fatigue if they are:

• driving long distances;
• driving for extended periods;
• working late at night;
• averaging less than 7.5 hours of sleep each night;
• using medication that causes drowsiness; or
• operating a vehicle with poor emission quality.

According to the Road Safety Commission, around 20 lives are lost each year in vehicle crashes in which WA Police suspect fatigue is a factor. 

Passenger transport vehicles (PTVs) are up to three times more likely to be involved in crashes than private vehicles.

To help ensure the safety of all WA road users, it’s important to reduce the likelihood of fatigued drivers providing passenger transport services.

• Do you have a way to monitor and record driver working hours?
• Who makes sure drivers comply with fatigue rules?
• Do you require drivers to disclose secondary employment?