The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has warned of the dangers of driving while tired during the long weekend.
In a recent RACQ survey, 36 per cent of respondents confessed they had driven while tired, or had experienced difficulty staying awake.
RACQ spokesperson Lucinda Ross said, “Fatigue is one of the biggest killers on Queensland roads. So it’s really worrying we’re seeing so many drivers still risking their lives, and the lives of others, by driving tired.
“What’s bizarre, and frankly frightening, is that while our stats show many motorists flirt with fatigue when driving, a whopping 96 per cent of the people we surveyed believed drowsy drivers were a danger.”
Sleep the only solution
Ms Ross says many drivers mistakenly believe they can fight fatigue with quick fixes, such as coffee.
“Driving tired can increase your crash risk to levels similar to drink driving – it’s that serious,” she said.
“Plying yourself with coffee or putting down the windows isn’t the answer. The only real solution for fatigue is sleep.”
Ms Ross urged motorists to ensure they’re in a fit state to drive before getting behind the wheel. She called on them “to take charge of their own safety and to make sure they’re up to the task of driving”.
Take advice, save a life
She also had some no-nonsense advice.
“Have a good night’s sleep before you hit the road. If you’re feeling drowsy, pull over and take a break. If you’re on a long journey, stop every two hours. Don’t drive more than eight to 10 hours in a 24-hour period. It could save a life.”
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