As the King’s Birthday long weekend reminds Australians to rest and recharge, it also brings the usual flood of road safety warnings aimed at holidaymakers. But for Fleet Managers, fatigue isn’t a seasonal concern—it’s a year-round risk.
Drivers in fleets are on the road every week, not just during holidays. Yet messages about drowsy driving often fail to consider the professional drivers, sales reps, technicians, and operational staff who spend hours behind the wheel as part of their job. This is a critical oversight, especially when fatigue is still contributing to around 20 per cent of all crashes on Australian roads.
New research from CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute makes a strong case for updating how we think—and talk—about fatigue. The study found that drivers who get less than five hours of sleep in the previous 24 hours are twice as likely to crash. That level of impairment is comparable to having a blood alcohol content of 0.05 to 0.08 per cent—well above what would be acceptable for a professional driver.
In 2024 alone, fatigue-related crashes killed 78 people on NSW roads, up from 53 in 2023. These are preventable fatalities, and fleet operators have a responsibility to go beyond simply checking that their vehicles carry a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
It’s Time to Rethink Fatigue in Fleet Safety Policies
Dr Madeline Sprajcer, lead author of the study published in Safety Science, says most public fatigue messaging lacks specifics. “Imagine if we just said ‘don’t drink and drive’ without explaining how much is too much. That’s exactly what we’re doing with fatigue,” she said.
The research, which included interviews with industry and community stakeholders, found broad support for clearer fatigue education. More than 75 per cent of participants even supported legislation that would mandate a minimum amount of sleep before driving—bringing it into line with drink driving and speeding laws.
In New Jersey, USA, drivers who haven’t slept in 24 hours are considered impaired, with the law recognising this condition as equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.10—twice the legal limit in Australia.
Australia’s own public awareness campaigns—like National Driver Fatigue Week and Victoria’s “Driving tired? Wake up to yourself” slogan—could take note. The CQUniversity team suggests these initiatives be updated to include guidance like: “Don’t drive if you’ve had less than five hours’ sleep.”
Fatigue Risk Management Is a Leadership Issue
For Fleet Managers, this research reinforces the need for fatigue to be addressed as a workplace health and safety issue. A robust Fleet Safety Policy should include:
- Minimum rest periods between shifts and driving duties
- Monitoring of vehicle use outside of work hours (especially for grey fleet or home garaged vehicles)
- Education programs that include sleep hygiene and early warning signs of fatigue
- Technology use—such as telematics or in-cab fatigue detection tools—to flag risky driving behaviours
- A culture that supports drivers reporting fatigue without fear of repercussions
As professional drivers spend hundreds of hours on the road each year, even small improvements in fatigue management can lead to significant reductions in crash risk.
Fleet operators often invest in driver training, vehicle safety features, and GPS tracking—but if the driver behind the wheel is severely fatigued, none of those tools are enough on their own.
So as the long weekend arrives and safety messages flash across TV screens and social media, fleet managers should take a moment to reflect: Are your drivers getting enough rest every week—not just when the nation takes a break?
Because when it comes to fatigue, less than five hours? Don’t drive.
