Driving when tired is a contributing factor in between 16-20% of all road crashes in Victoria.  More facts –

  • Fatigue is a major cause of crashes in Victoria, around 30 people die each year and up to 200 people suffer serious injuries due to these types of crashes (5 year average).
  • 37% of people admit to driving while tired. That’s 1.6 million Victorians that are driving when tired each year.
  • If you fall asleep for just four seconds while travelling at a speed of 100 km/h, the car will have gone 111 metres without you being in control.
  • After being awake for 17 hours you will be impaired to the same level as someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05.
  • Fatigue isn’t only an issue on long distance drives, it is still a risk for short drives.
  • People generally don’t become fatigued from driving. Usually they are already tired when they get behind the wheel from long hours, shift work, lack of sleep, sleep apnoea or physically demanding roles.

So – what happens if you are in an accident?

Here’s a summary of what you need to do if you are in a crash :

  • stop immediately
  • give help to any injured person
  • provide your name, address, registration number, and vehicle owner’s name to others involved in the crash, or their representative, and to the police (if they are there)
  • if anyone is injured and the police are not at the crash, you must report the crash to the nearest police station
  • if there is any property damage and the owner (or Police) is not there, you must report the crash to the nearest police station.

You don’t know how stressful having a car accident is — whether it’s just a fender bender or something more serious — until you’ve had one. But knowing what to do can help reduce the stress a little, by ensuring the incident is dealt with properly.

KEEP SAFE :

The safety of everyone after an accident is paramount. In an emergency, call 000 for ambulance and police assistance; especially if someone is injured, there’s major damage or the road is blocked.

You should also make sure you’re in a safe location away from traffic. Move your car out of the way and off the road if possible, then turn off the engine and switch your hazard lights on.

It’s important to keep your emotions in check – regardless of who’s at fault. You should exchange the following details with the other driver(s):

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Registration number
  • Insurance details

Useful information you should also record:

  • Date, time and location of the accident
  • Name, address and phone number of any witnesses
  • Photos of the crash site and damage to cars or property