The Federal Government is urging heavy vehicle drivers to take care ahead of National Driver Fatigue Week.
After 1,187 lives were lost on Australian roads last year, the Government said sleep is the only cure to tiredness.
“National Driver Fatigue Week is a week to educate road users that a power nap is a viable intervention strategy to overcome fatigue while driving,” it said in a statement.
“We don’t want to see anyone at risk of being endangered by fatigue on the road – and we don’t want to see the death toll climb.
“So, remember, if you are tired – pull up in a designated rest area and have a power nap; it could save your life or the life of someone else.”
The Australian Government released the National Road Safety Action Plan (2023-25) earlier this month, which has nine key priority areas – including heavy vehicle safety and workplace road safety.
Under the Action Plan, Federal, State and Territory Governments have agreed to achievable and measurable actions to reduce road trauma.
The Plan will support local governments through the development of a National Road Safety Data Collection and Reporting Framework and Minimum Data Set, to improve the data they hold on their local network.
“This will allow governments to have a better understanding of the safety of their network, prioritise their investment in local infrastructure and engage with their communities about road safety,” the Federal Government said.
The Framework will also provide a national minimum data needed to inform public policy at the national level, and progress towards delivering the Strategy.
More information on the Plan is available here.
