Deadly danger in driving drowsy as road toll mounts

One-in-five Victorian drivers struggle to keep their eyes open behind the wheel, as deaths mount on the state's roads.

About two-thirds are driving while feeling quite or very tired, while 21 per cent admitted to driving while being so tired that they struggled to keep their eyes open, according to a Transport Accident Commission survey released on Friday.

Male drivers aged between 18 to 59 and living in urban and regional areas are more likely to drive while fatigued, accounting for about 37 per cent of tired drivers.

Victoria's 2024 road toll stands at 185, compared with 178 lives lost over the same period in 2023.

Driving while fatigued accounted for between 16 and 20 per cent of fatal crashes annually and made up about one quarter of the road trauma injuries seen in Melbourne's major hospitals, the survey found.

Those who drove while very tired perceived less danger in their actions, compared to those driving while quite tired and non-fatigued drivers.

About 30 lives are lost on Victorian roads every year due to tired driving and it is imperative for drivers to be able identify when they are not safe, the commission's chief executive Tracey Slatter said.

"Drowsy driving is a danger to everyone who shares the road, not just you, so please rest up and get more than five hours' sleep before driving," she said.

The report also found a relatively high prevalence of risky driving behaviour involving drivers being distracted by handheld devices, particularly among those aged between 26 and 39.

More than half of respondents admitted using a mobile phone while driving in the past week, with 46 per cent using apps, one quarter making or taking calls and just under one quarter sending or receiving texts.

Those drivers were less likely to feel embarrassed if caught and also less likely to believe they would be caught for breaking road rules.

Speeding was one of the most prevalent risky behaviours on the roads, but most intentional speeding behaviour was infrequent, while drink-driving behaviour remained steady.

Overall, men aged between 18 and 39 who drive e-devices, motorcycles, and larger or heavy vehicles over longer distances were a higher risk of engaging in dangerous driving.

About 2300 road users took part in the commission's survey.