Dead tired on state’s roads

VICTORIAN motorists are ignoring key road safety warnings, with more than a third of drivers admitting to driving while drowsy and illegally using mobile phones.

As authorities grapple with a shocking surge in the road toll, a report shows many drivers are not getting simple messages.

Victorian scientists are working to develop a worldfirst roadside eye test that could catch out drivers too drowsy to be behind the wheel.

A Transport Accident Commission’s survey of more than 1600 motorists found that 37 per cent of f Victorians had driven while fatigued in the past three months compared with 34 per cent a year earlier.

Despite this, the same group of motorists said feeling tired behind the wheel was a very dangerous activity and ranked it just below drink-driving.

Fatigue is attributed to a almost a quarter of all f fatal crashes every y year and more t than 300 serious injuries. More than a third of those polled also admitted using a mobile phone in the car. Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane, of the road policing command, said 2019 had been particularly challenging for authorities. “It is frustrating that despite so many deaths and serious injuries on the road that message does not seem to be getting through,” Mr Leane said. “We ask people to have a think about the consequences before using their mobile phone or choosing to drive tired.”

There have been 211 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, compared with 159 during the same period in 2018.

Fatigue was found to be a bigger issue among young people, with more than half of Victorian drivers aged between 18 and 25 admitting to driving while drowsy in the last three months.

Roads Safety Minister Jaala Pulford said young drivers were more inexperienced and more likely to take risks.

“Given their inexperience and exposure to risk, it is critical young drivers give themselves the best chance of a safe journey by being as rested and alert as possible when behind the wheel,” Ms Pulford said.

“We know young people can be tired from study, shift work, or staying out all night but it is critical that they identify the dangers and avoid driving drowsy because the outcomes can be tragic.”

The TAC is launching a new road safety strategy to fight preventable car crashes. A statewide survey will seek to find the biggest problems while also looking for solutions that can bring down the road toll.

The Department of Transport, Monash University, Victoria Police and the TAC are developing technology that would test motorists for fatigue by scanning their eyes. It would be another weapon in the road safety armoury alongside alcohol and drug testing.