Grant bid to avoid driver fatigue

Bunbury City Council will apply for more than $20,000 in funding to change drivers’ attitudes towards driving while tired.

The council has unanimously supported applying to the Road Safety Council of WA for the grant to fund a “Don’t Trust Your Tired Self” project to address driver fatigue in the South West.

It will raise awareness, provide education and look at measuring a change in knowledge and attitude towards driver fatigue over a 12-month period.

Mayor Gary Brennan said the project was a “great idea” and the grant would be just another investment in raising awareness around driver safety.

“Any program that raises awareness around increasing our alertness as we’re driving is worthwhile,” Mr Brennan said.

“There’s no way the council would not support that.

“This is targeting driver fatigue, any program to highlight and make people more aware of the importance of being refreshed and not tired when driving, can only be a good campaign.”

Research shows between 15 and 30 per cent of all road crashes are caused by drivers falling asleep behind the wheel, according to a council report.

“Fatigue-related crashes account for 20 to 30 per cent of all fatal and serious injuries on Australian roads,” the report said.

The project is expected to be rolled out in partnership with surrounding South West councils and will involve engaging with local cafes, visitor centres and community resource centres.

It will also incorporate existing coffee stop and driver reviver locations in the region.

The project will see 3000 reusable coffee cups branded “Don’t Trust Your Tired Self” slogan and with the Road Safety Commission logo.

It is hoped the offer of a free coffee cup will motivate drivers to participate in a driver fatigue education survey.

The project will promote that while taking a break and having a coffee is a way to avoid driver fatigue, the only real preventative measure is “quality sleep”.