Fatigue-related road deaths are climbing sharply in Australia, and the trend is becoming increasingly difficult for fleet operators to ignore. New research from the NRMA shows tired driving is no longer a marginal risk—it is emerging as one of the fastest-growing contributors to serious crashes on Australian roads.
The findings have clear implications for Fleet Managers, safety professionals, and executives responsible for duty of care. Fatigue is not just a driver issue. It is an operational risk that sits squarely within fleet planning, scheduling, and safety management systems.
Fatigue is becoming a bigger safety risk
According to the NRMA’s latest research, fatigue-related fatalities have risen significantly in recent years, highlighting a growing and largely preventable danger on the road network. In 2022, tiredness accounted for 12 per cent of road deaths, but by 2024 that figure had increased to 23 per cent—almost doubling in just two years.
The report also notes that 75 people died in fatigue-related crashes in 2025 alone, reinforcing the scale of the risk and the need for stronger preventative measures across both private and commercial driving environments.
For fleet operators, this upward trend should be treated as an early warning sign. Fatigue has long been recognised as a major road safety factor, but the recent increase in fatalities suggests traditional awareness campaigns and compliance measures are not enough on their own.
The risk is not limited to long-distance driving
One of the most important findings for Fleet Managers is that fatigue is not confined to long trips or remote driving. The NRMA research shows that most fatigue-related driving occurs during routine, everyday journeys rather than extended travel.
More than half of tired driving incidents—58 per cent—occurred during normal daily trips, compared with 37 per cent during long-distance travel.
This finding has direct implications for local government, utilities, service fleets, and organisations with high-frequency short journeys. The highest fatigue risk may not be on the highway—it may be during routine operations late in the day, after a full shift, or during periods of peak workload.
Fatigue often starts before the vehicle moves
The report highlights another operational reality that many organisations overlook: fatigue risk frequently exists before the driver begins the journey.
Among drivers who reported driving while tired, one-quarter said they were already fatigued when they started driving.
The most common contributing factors included:
- Lack of sleep
- Mental exhaustion
- Work, study, or caring demands
- Stress or busy schedules
These causes reinforce the need to view fatigue as a workplace risk rather than simply a road safety issue. Workload management, shift design, and rostering decisions all influence driver alertness and performance.
Many drivers continue driving when tired
The research also reveals a gap between recognising fatigue and taking action. Only 35 per cent of drivers reported pulling over and taking a break after feeling tired.
This behaviour reflects a common operational reality. Drivers may push through fatigue due to deadlines, delivery schedules, service commitments, or perceived pressure to complete tasks.
For Fleet Managers, this highlights the importance of creating a safety culture where stopping is supported and expected—not discouraged by productivity demands.
Fatigue affects driver performance before a crash occurs
Fatigue rarely appears suddenly. It typically develops gradually, affecting concentration, judgement, and reaction time.
The NRMA survey identified several early warning signs reported by drivers who experienced fatigue behind the wheel, including:
- Zoning out or difficulty remembering recent driving
- Drifting within a lane
- Trouble maintaining a constant speed
- Slower reaction times at intersections
For example, 28 per cent of respondents said they had “zoned out” or struggled to recall the last few kilometres of driving while tired.
These behaviours represent leading indicators of fatigue risk and should be treated as operational safety signals rather than isolated incidents.
High-risk groups include everyday workers
The NRMA report identifies several groups with elevated fatigue risk, many of whom are common in fleet environments.
These include:
- Shift workers
- Commercial drivers
- Young drivers
- New parents
- People with sleep disorders
The inclusion of shift workers and commercial drivers is particularly relevant for fleet organisations operating extended hours, emergency services, or after-hours maintenance activities.
Fatigue risk is often highest in operational environments with irregular schedules, high workloads, and time pressure.
Technology can reduce fatigue-related crashes
Vehicle technology is increasingly playing a role in preventing fatigue-related incidents. Modern safety systems can detect early signs of driver inattention and provide alerts or corrective assistance.
Examples highlighted in the report include:
- Lane Keep Assist
- Driver Attention Detection
- Lane Departure Warning
Research cited in the report suggests Lane Keep Assist alone can reduce fatal and serious run-off-road and head-on crashes by around 22 per cent.
For fleet procurement teams, this reinforces the importance of specifying active safety features as standard equipment rather than optional extras.
What fleets should do now
The NRMA report makes it clear that fatigue cannot be managed through awareness alone. Effective fatigue management requires operational controls, leadership commitment, and system-level planning.
Practical actions for fleet organisations include:
1. Review scheduling and rostering practices – Ensure workloads and shift patterns allow adequate rest and recovery.
2. Embed fatigue into safety management systems – Treat fatigue as a workplace hazard, not just a driver behaviour issue.
3. Use vehicle technology as a safety control – Specify fatigue-detection and lane-support systems in fleet procurement.
4. Encourage early intervention – Create policies that support drivers to stop when tired without penalty.
5. Monitor fatigue-related incidents and near misses – Use data to identify patterns and high-risk activities.
A growing risk that requires proactive management
Fatigue has always been a road safety concern, but the recent rise in fatalities shows the risk is increasing rather than stabilising.
For fleet organisations, the message is clear. Fatigue is not just about driver behaviour—it is about planning, workload, culture, and operational decision-making.
Organisations that treat fatigue as a system risk, rather than an individual problem, will be better positioned to protect their drivers, reduce incidents, and meet their duty of care obligations.
Source:
NRMA, Asleep at the Wheel: Addressing tiredness related road crashes, April 2026.
