New TAC campaign warns 'zoning out' is deadly

31 Aug 2004

Media Release - 31 August 2004

Driving while fatigued can be deadly, the Minister responsible for the Transport Accident Commission, Rob Hulls, said today at the launch of a new road safety campaign.

Mr Hulls said the new TAC campaign, featuring television, radio and billboard advertising, aimed to stop Victorians driving while fatigued.

"Fatigued drivers are dangerous drivers," Mr Hulls said.

"This new TAC road safety campaign aims to alert drivers to the dangers of driving while fatigued and reduce Victoria's road trauma."

Mr Hulls said about 20 per cent of fatal crashes in Victoria involve fatigue, causing about 70 deaths and almost 500 serious injuries each year.

"Fatigue-related crashes are also more likely to cause severe injuries than other crashes because they often involve high speeds, a lack of braking and road side objects," Mr Hulls said.

Mr Hulls said the advertisements profiled a common symptom of fatigue called 'zoning out' - when the eyes remained open but the mind was blank for a few seconds.

He said many drivers experienced 'zoning out' but did not associate this with fatigue.

"It's a common misconception that you have to close your eyes to be dangerously fatigued," Mr Hulls said.

"But fatigue can be more subtle than that and drivers need to recognise the signs of fatigue much sooner and find a safe spot to pull over for a power nap."

Mr Hulls said the Bracks Government had recently announced tough new laws to crack down on dangerous driving and driving while fatigued.

He said the Crimes (Dangerous Driving) Bill would create a new offence of dangerous driving causing death or serious injury, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and amend the Crimes Act to ensure that driving while fatigued can constitute culpable driving causing death.

"This legislation is in response to community concerns that the existing law of culpable driving causing death does not adequately deal with drivers who cause fatal accidents when they fall asleep at the wheel or drive when very drowsy," Mr Hulls said.

Read the fatigue case study here.

Media contact

Manika Naidoo, 03 9651 5048, 0413 850 156