STAY ALERT AND ARRIVE ALIVE

Australians are being urged to be mindful of the dangers of driving when tired as we remember the lives lost to fatigue-related crashes on 23 April, which marks Driver Fatigue Awareness Day. The families of Todd Sligar, Ethan Hertslet and Mitchell Holloway have campaigned to promote greater understanding of the impacts of driver fatigue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Driver Fatigue Awareness Day reminds us how deadly driving while tired is and what road users can do to manage fatigue.

“Falling into a micro-sleep, even for a few seconds, can be fatal – a driver can travel more than 100 metres without any control at all over their vehicle,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Making sure we get enough sleep before driving, taking regular breaks, or pulling over to take a power nap when we feel fatigue setting in can be the difference to arriving at our destination alive.

“Working towards zero fatalities and serious injuries on Australian roads is a core priority for the Government.

“This is why we are delivering record levels of road safety and infrastructure spending right across the nation.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said driver fatigue had been identified as one of the ‘Fatal Five’ road safety factors that contribute to road trauma, being a factor in up to 30 per cent of all deaths and severe injuries on our roads.

“Driver Reviver sites are critical in tackling driver fatigue to make our roads safer, which is why I am proud to be part of a Government that continues to invest in the program,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.

“Initiatives such as the Driver Reviver Site Upgrade Program showcase what governments and communities can achieve when working together. Applications for Round Two of this $8 million program are now closed and being assessed.

Mr Buchholz said the Australian Government was making road safety a priority, with significant investments such as the $2 billion Road Safety Program to reduce risk across the country.

“These investments will deliver practical safety improvements such as shoulder sealing and rumble strips to help keep drivers on the road and in their lane.

“This will help reduce the $30 billion annual cost of road crashes to the national economy,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.

“Most importantly, the program will reduce the amount of lives lost and the immeasurable suffering that follows for the families and friends affected.

More information on the Australian Government’s road safety initiatives is available at www.officeofroadsafety.gov.au.