Fatigue contributes to 20% of all road accidents, making it one of the most significant risks for fleet drivers. Whether caused by long hours, irregular shifts, or second jobs, fatigue is a silent yet pervasive threat that compromises road safety and productivity. Understanding fatigue – both physical exhaustion and mental burnout – is critical for fleet managers who want to protect their drivers and ensure compliance with road safety regulations.
Integrating tachograph data within your fleet management system can help fleet operators proactively manage driver fatigue and prevent incidents before they occur. Let’s take a look how fatigue can impact drivers, strategies to mitigate its effects, and how FleetCheck can help.
Understanding Fatigue
Fatigue isn’t just about feeling tired – it’s a complex condition that affects both body and mind. Employees who undertake extended shifts or have insufficient recovery periods between shifts face a significantly elevated risk of fatigue and sleep-related incidents1. Notably, the likelihood of being involved in a collision while commuting home increases by approximately 30% following a 12-hour shift compared to an eight-hour shift2.
Research suggests that there are two primary types of fatigue:
1. Physical Exhaustion: Prolonged work periods or repetitive tasks, such as driving familiar routes, can lead to a persistent lack of energy. Drive may experience slowed reaction times, poor precision, and an inability to respond effectively to hazards. Studies suggest that drivers start making significantly more mistakes after two hours of continuous driving.3
2. Mental Burnout: Stress, anxiety, and cognitive overload can cause mental fatigue, which manifests as reduced concentration, irritability, and impaired decision-making. Non-work factors like financial worries can exacerbate mental exhaustion, increasing the risk of collisions.A study conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in early 20234 revealed that 22% of adults had borrowed more money compared to the previous year, while 40% anticipated they would be unable to save any money during 2023. Among those who had fallen behind on their bills, 49% reported experiencing high levels of anxiety, and individuals in arrears were also found to have an increased risk of developing depression.
Symptoms of fatigue include:
- Slowed reaction times
- Reduced concentration and situational awareness
- Microsleeps (brief, involuntary lapses in consciousness)
These symptoms are dangerous in themselves, but particularly dangerous for at-work drivers, who often operate large vehicles over long distances. The result? Increased accident rates, higher insurance premiums, and potential reputational damage for your business.
Now let’s look at the risks that can come from fatigue. Professional drivers face unique challenges that make them especially vulnerable to fatigue. Key risk factors include:
1. Long Hours and Irregular Shifts: Extended shifts and insufficient recovery time between them significantly increases the likelihood of fatigue-related incidents. For example, commuting home after a 12-hour shift carries a 30% greater risk of collision compared to an 8-hour shift5.
2. Second Jobs: Many drivers take on additional employment to supplement their income, leading to higher levels of fatigue, stress, and sleep deprivation. Evidence shows that employees working two or more jobs are at greater risk of depression, and reduced performance6.
3. Cumulative Fatigue: Fatigue isn’t always something that hits you all at once — it often builds up slowly over several days or even weeks. You might feel it more intensely at certain times during your shift or towards the end of a long week.
The impact of fatigue goes beyond just road safety—it affects the overall wellbeing of drivers, which in turn influences productivity, absenteeism, and team morale. Supporting drivers to manage fatigue isn’t just about reducing risk; it’s about creating a healthier, more sustainable working environment where everyone can perform at their best.
Mitigation Strategies
Managing fatigue requires a proactive approach that combines education, policy enforcement, and technological support. Here are some useful strategies fleet managers can use:
