Rest 'is important part of risk management strategy'
Fleet bosses keen to ensure their risk management strategies are as successful as possible may be well advised to ensure their drivers are getting sufficient rest, if comments from one expert are anything to go by.
Dr Mark Chattington from the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) explained fatigue can put members of staff in danger, Fleet News reported.
He stated: "Drivers and employers need to consider the effect of working hours on safety - and ensure drivers have the ability to take adequate rest both in terms of periods between shifts and also rest during a working day."
Gareth Roberts from Fleet News said fatigue causes thousands of accidents a year among people who are behind the wheel as part of their professional duties.
He acknowledged it is difficult to put a precise figure on how many collisions the problem is responsible for because it is not always easy to determine if lack of sleep is a factor in a crash.
Nevertheless, Mr Roberts cited research that suggests 20 per cent of accidents on monotonous roads - such as motorways - are down to fatigue.
He went on to say studies have shown less than five hours sleep a night can increase the chances of a driver being involved in an accident by five times, while less than four hours "severely impairs" performance at the wheel.
It is thought factors such a lack of adequate rest before a shift may pose more of a risk than the actual length of time spent on the road.
Particular periods of the day are additionally believed to present higher danger.
Mr Roberts explained alertness is thought to be especially low between 04:00 and 06:00 BST/GMT, as well as 14:00 and 16:00 BST/GMT.
TRL recently submitted a report to the government on the relationship between driver fatigue and rules that limit the number of hours workers are allowed to be on the road.
According to the study, the link should not be oversimplified.
It stated: "The relationship between fatigue and drivers' work time or length of drive is complex."
The report continued: "It would be a mistake to assume that all drivers respond in the same way or even that any individual driver is entirely consistent from one day to another."
It concluded employees will be affected by a variety of factors such as work environment, opportunities for meaningful rest, as well as predictability and timing of rostering.
Fleet News advised drivers there are steps they can take to help keep themselves safe on the road.
It told them to take a 15-minute break for every two hours they spend at the wheel.
They were also urged to do everything possible to ensure they get a good night's sleep before a journey.
Meanwhile, it was suggested employers need to implement the most suitable risk management strategy for their workers.
The publication said companies should choose the right vehicle and safest specification for their firm's particular requirements.
In addition, businesses were advised they must ensure routes, appointments, journey schedules and work practices allow drivers to work within the law.
TRL warned simply drinking coffee and taking a nap may not have a significant effect when it comes to combating fatigue.
In related news, the Fleet Safety Forum - run by road safety charity Brake - recently launched its Wake Up! campaign.
The initiative has been established to try and ensure companies plan driver's schedules carefully and look after their health, especially in the current tough economic climate when some employees may feel under pressure to get more work done than usual.
Meanwhile, in order for members of staff driving heavy goods vehicles to be able to get decent rest while on the road, the quality of truck stops may need to be improved.
The Freight Transport Association reported earlier this year that two-thirds of its members were unhappy with the facilities available in the UK.
