Media Release: Waikato District Council, 16 December 2014
Drivers warned of fatigue dangers
Driving fatigued can be fatal. That’s the message delivered to motorists during a Waikato District Council, NZ Police, NZ Transport Agency, St John, and Huntly Lions Club driver fatigue stop in Huntly on Tuesday 16th.
Council Road Safety Co-ordinator Megan Jolly says many people are quick to think of speed and alcohol as key road safety issues, but fatigue is also a killer on our roads.
“In the past five years, 141 people have been seriously injured as a result of a fatigue related road accidents in the Waikato region. This issue has also caused 54 fatalities.”
Ms Jolly says key signs of driver fatigue including blinking frequently, constant yawning, wandering over the centre line or road edge, wandering thoughts and not remembering driving the last few kilometres.
“Motorists should ‘catch up on lost sleep’ before they set out on holiday, and have frequent breaks when driving long distances. Swapping drivers or stopping for a powernap are also important strategies for combating driver fatigue.”
Motorists were given a driver fatigue info packs and thanks to the generous support from Nestle were given Kit Kat bars with the slogan ‘Have a break, have a Kit Kat’, a reminder to take a break when driving long distances.