Only a couple more sleeps until Christmas and the arrival of the jolly man in the red suit and the rush and pressure of the year will be over for many of us. This is a time to be more vigilant than ever when driving, Southern District Police say.
"It's really important that people take the time to prepare themselves for the trip away after the very busy build up to Christmas," said Senior Sgt Steve Larking, acting Southern District Road Policing Manager.
"If you are yawning, having trouble concentrating or feeling tired you must pull over and have a rest. There is no point putting your life and that of other road users at risk because you are tired," Snr Sgt Larking said.
"Unfortunately police do attend a lot of fatigue-related crashes at this time of the year, some of which result in serious injuries."
"Figures show that the incidence of fatigue-related crashes doubles during the holiday season," he said.
"These crashes do not need to happen. With all of the rushing around at this time of the year, being properly rested prior to making a trip is very important."
When on the road often the front passenger is in a very good position to help make decisions about what is going on, when to stop for a rest and where, or to share the driving, he said.
"There are various steps a driver can take such as stopping for a 20-minute nap or sharing the driving. Tired drivers are a danger on the road and we all need to be aware of that."
“If you're driving, plan ahead to ensure you are well-rested and have plenty of time to take breaks. We want everyone to be safe while travelling on the roads over the holiday period," said Senior Sgt Larking.
Simple Ways to Avoid Fatigue and Improve Your Alertness for Holiday Driving
•Get plenty of sleep before your journey, and try to drive at times of the day when you are normally awake.
•If possible, share the driving.
•Take your time and plan for rest breaks every couple of hours. Get out of your vehicle and take a short walk or do some other exercise to get your blood flowing and improve alertness. If you feel tired, take a short nap (less than 40 minutes).
•Don’t drink and drive, and don’t speed. Many fatigue crashes also involve these two factors.
•Use air conditioning if your vehicle has it. While it will increase fuel consumption, cool air will also keep you more alert and help avoid frustration and stress - major causes of fatigue.
ENDS