In Australia, fatigue is one of the major causes of injuries and fatalities, contributing to approximately 20-30 per cent of all vehicle accidents. Even more concerning, over 30 per cent of drivers experience microsleeps while behind the wheel, with 20 per cent admitting to driving while tired at least weekly.

Additionally, Australians in regional areas are five times more likely to have a fatal accident due to the vast distances between communities and hazards from wildlife accessing the road network. By the time a microsleep happens – which involves falling asleep for several seconds – it’s often too late.

As National Driver Fatigue Week approaches, it’s a timely reminder of the risks that fatigue poses and the importance of proactive safety measures. Early detection is the first line of defence and advancements in fatigue technology have become vital in enabling fleet managers to identify  fatigue-related behaviours, such as eyelid closure and yawning. Crucially, this technology can make the distinction between a driver momentarily looking down and someone whose head is dipping from drowsiness. This improved accuracy means fewer false positives, enabling fleets to notify drivers to risk in real-time before it escalates into something more dangerous. 

As a global leader in fatigue, our goal is to achieve zero deaths on Australian roads by helping fleets protect their drivers and ensure that all road users end their journey safely home.