Dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kerryn McCann has joined Illawarra and South Coast Councils, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and the NRMA to urge drivers to Stay Fresh on the Princes Highway this summer. 

The Stay Fresh on the Princes Highway initiative is designed to raise awareness among local and visiting motorists about the dangers of driver fatigue, believed to be the cause of one in five fatal crashes in NSW during 2005.

Drivers using the Princes Highway this summer are invited to enter the Stay Fresh competition by picking up an entry form at one of over 40 service stations, information centres, Driver Reviver sites, local NRMA branches and other outlets from Wollongong to Eden participating in the campaign. Prizes include petrol vouchers to the value of $200 and ‘fight fatigue’ packs.

The competition is designed to remind drivers to take regular breaks and heed early warning signs such as yawning, tired or sore eyes, slow reactions, microsleeps and drowsiness, and to understand the risks and consequences of driving while tired.

Between January 2003 and December 2005, there were 10 fatigue related crashes on the Princes Highway, resulting in 10 fatalities.

• 80% of those killed were motor vehicle drivers
• 30% of fatigue related crashes occurred between 10pm and 6.00am
• 70% of those killed or injured were male
• 60% of fatigue related crashes on the Princes Highway in the Southern Region occurred within the Shoalhaven LGA
• 60% of fatigue related crashes were head-on

Be alert to symptoms

Stay Fresh on the Princes Highway targets both drivers and passengers. Everyone in the car should recognise the signs of driver fatigue. Everyone should look out for the driver’s yawning, poor concentration, rubbing tired or sore eyes, restlessness, drowsiness, slow reactions, boredom, feeling irritable, making fewer and larger steering corrections, missing road signs, having difficulty in staying in the lane, and those deadly microsleeps.

“It is a survival issue,” said Council’s Road Safety Officer. “Stay Fresh on the Princes Highway encourages drivers and passengers to heed early warning signs such as yawning, tired or sore eyes, slow reactions, microsleeps or drowsiness, and to understand the risks and consequences of driving while tired.”

“Fatigue describes being sleepy, tired or exhausted. Fatigue affects both body and mind, so driver fatigue can severely impair judgment. It’s a Catch 22. The big danger is that one of the first symptoms is reduced ability to judge our own level of tiredness!”

The partners

Shoalhaven joined Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Eurobodalla Councils to launch Stay Fresh on the Princes Highway, at Wollongong on Thursday morning. The initiative also has the support of the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and NRMA Insurance. Pauline Donohoe of NRMA Insurance said that supporting the council’s efforts to educate people about the dangers of fatigue was an important part of the company’s focus on reducing risk in the community.

The Mayors of the partner Councils noted that the joint campaign demonstrated this special highway issue was being taken seriously by communities along the entire coast. Stay Fresh complements the regional campaign for improved roads very well.

Brochure and competition

Motorists living in or visiting the Shoalhaven this summer can pick up a competition entry form and take the opportunity to stop, revive and survive at one of the following rest areas and supporting outlets:

• McDonalds Bomaderry

• Nowra, Caltex Star Mart

• Information Centre Nowra

• NRMA

• McDonalds South Nowra

• South Nowra, United Service Station

• South Nowra, Mobil Oil Australia Limited

• Log Cabin Café & Service Station

• Falls Creek / Jervis Bay Driver Reviver

• Bewong Road House

• Wandy Road House/General Store

• Milton Ampol

• Ulladulla Driver Reviver

• Ulladulla, Shell Australia Limited

• Information Centre Ulladalla

• Tabourie Tuckerbox

• East Lynne Store
  

When and Where

High risk times for fatigue-related fatal crashes are late night time or early morning (10pm-6am), and also early afternoon (1pm-3pm). These times coincide with dips in the body's circadian rhythms, which program us to feel sleepy at night when we would normally be asleep and to a lesser extent in the afternoon hours.

Fatal crashes identifying fatigue as a factor are more likely to occur during public and school holiday periods. Nearly 30 per cent of all fatal fatigue accidents occur during public or school holidays.

Most fatigue-related crashes occur on country roads, about four out of five on country roads. A very large proportion (two thirds) happen on roads zoned at 100 km/h or more and half occurred on State Highways. Those higher speeds and open roads increase the risk of death through hitting poles or trees, or head on collisions.

Four out of five fatigued drivers in fatal crashes are male. The ages are wide ranging. As everyone gets tired, and all need sleep, it can happen to anyone.