Staying safe on the road this summer

While taking a well-deserved summer holiday can be one of the biggest highlights of the year, it’s important that commercial drivers are well-prepared to get back on the road after their time off. Recognising and managing post-holiday fatigue is essential to keeping both the fleet and other road users safe.

Keeping the fleet fresh

Even for experienced drivers, getting back behind the wheel after a break can feel a little unfamiliar. Sometimes, it mightn’t feel second nature again until partway into a shift. During holiday periods, and long weekends, there can be a lot of vehicles on the road and for safety’s sake, this adds another reason to be fresh and focussed.

NZI’s Fleet Fit programme aims to improve driver safety, and this includes tackling fatigue exposure. NZI National Motor Manager, Oliver Jepson, notes that fatigue management is especially important to prevent accidents occurring through January when drivers have become accustomed to a more relaxed sleep pattern over the Christmas break. Fatigue support can take the form of seminars to drivers, to talk through what fatigue looks like, and can extend to addressing, and offering options, for sleeping disorders or other issues drivers might have.

Understanding the effects of fatigue

AutoSense, one of NZI’s Fleet Fit partners supplies Guardian, by Seeing Machines, an in-cab camera that monitors fatigue. The camera features an alert function designed to detect when drivers are lapsing under the effects of fatigue by picking up 1.5 second eye closure or ‘microsleeps.’

Data from the Guardian cameras reveal key insights. Charles Dawson, the Chief Executive, sees a slight increase in the number of events around January. “During a holiday period, drivers will have likely enjoyed all the usual social activities, maybe having friends and family staying, which often involves different kids in the house, and if you’re needing to sleep during the daylight hours, it will often be a struggle.”

There is also a big rise in fatigue events around daylight savings, and a further upswing around February, when it’s so hot at night people struggle to sleep. 

Easing teams back in after a break

NZI customer, Fulton Hogan, understands the risk fatigue poses to drivers returning from holiday. General Manager, Tim Talbot, acknowledges that drivers are only human and can get distracted, especially when fatigue is at play. To help their drivers better transition, Fulton Hogan have adopted a number of protocols and strategies to improve driver welfare after holiday periods.

Instead of getting drivers behind the wheel straight away, they will typically use the first day back as an opportunity for a light programme, which will include a session on fatigue that covers:

• Understanding that a fatigued driver can be as dangerous as an intoxicated driver.
• An outline of the effects of heat, nutrition and hydration on drivers.
• A discussion around the impact of kids being home during school holidays, which can disrupt sleep patterns during the day.

“There is an expectation around the culture, to provide an environment where drivers are welcome to come forward about their fitness for work at any time. If people are tired, they can speak up, we’ll find them something safe to do.”

Tips for getting back on the road safely:

NZI National Motor Manager, Oliver Jepson, has outlined a number of simple and effective ways to deal with the transition back after a break.

• Prior to getting back on the job, take a couple of days to ease yourself into the change in sleeping pattern, so it doesn’t feel like such a big adjustment.
• Stay hydrated with water, which will have greater benefits to your concentration than energy drinks or coffee, especially in warmer months.
• During the hottest months, use air-conditioning when possible, and breathable cotton sheets for more consistent sleep.
• Make a plan for transitioning back to work, especially after the long Christmas break.

Talk to your NZI Fleet Risk Manager or contact your broker today about NZI’s Fleet Fit programme and how it can support your fleet’s risk management.