Driver Fatigue

July 2025

Driver Managers – improve your understanding

Our monthly fleet focus delves deeper into some of the key road safety topics to improve your understanding, with free resources for you to share with your drivers.

Each month’s topic sits in a library so, as the library grows each month, you can access a bank of resources at any time to help you improve driver safety in your organisation.

ACCESS THE FULL FLEET FOCUS LIBRARY

Your Drivers – Your Responsibility

Your call to action:

Make sure you’ve got the policies you need in place to manage driver fatigue.
Make sure everyone involved is aware of their responsibilities – including managers & supervisors.
Don’t be afraid to challenge drivers about their tiredness.

Fatigue

Driving is for most people the most dangerous activity they can do.

We know that in the great majority of cases the initial outcome of a crash is around driver behaviour – and this can be caused by tiredness and fatigue, that can result in severe injury or worse, fatality.

It’s vital that as an organisation and as a manager or owner you are confident that your drivers are educated about fatigue, and that they are well rested and alert before starting their shift.

Fatigued drivers can face charges of death by dangerous driving or death by careless driving if involved in a fatal collision, leading to a prison sentence.

Tired drivers have poor coordination, poor reaction times, poor speed and lane discipline.

You have a duty of care to make sure every driver is fit to be behind the wheel.

So how confident are you that your drivers aren’t tired, and that fatigue is not affecting their driving?

Insight: Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue – do you take it seriously?

Driving professionally is a demanding job requiring skill, concentration, and constant vigilance. A crucial part of being fit to drive – and something we all need to take seriously – is to be properly rested.

We often talk about vehicle checks and driving hours, but the amount of good quality sleep that your drivers are getting is just as critical for safety. We need to talk frankly about sleep, and the common sleep problems that can affect drivers – and. most importantly, what we all need to do as professional drivers and as employers to manage the risks of fatigue.

Read this month’s insight on employer’s responsibilities around driver fatigue here.