Labour weekend brings the promise of summer and the first long weekend for months gives people a chance to emerge from hibernation and hit the road for a break away. That means the roads are busy and the need to drive safely is paramount.
Many people will drive long distances at Labour weekend, and their eagerness to get to their destination often means they may not rest when they need to. That makes driver fatigue a particular issue.
New Zealand Transport Authority statistics show that, from 2008-2012, 77 crashes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty were attributed to fatigue. There were 107 injuries resulting from these crashes, with eight of them fatal. Drivers in the 15-19 and 45-49 age groups were identified as being at the highest risk of driving while fatigued. Both groups represented more than 14 percent of fatigue-related crashes.
While in 2011 and 2012 there were no fatalities caused by fatigue-related crashes, eight in five years is eight too many. It is vital to rest if you get tired when behind the wheel.
In an effort to raise awareness of this issue throughout the Eastern Bay community, Police and road safety representatives have plenty of fatigue-related activity planned for Labour weekend.
Eastern Bay Police staff will run a fatigue stop in the Waioeka Gorge on Monday, October 28, aimed at encouraging drivers to take a break from the road. This is an opportunity to help people to recognise the signs of driver fatigue and educate them on how manage it. Local police run this fatigue stop every year and it is always well received. More fatigue stops are planned for future dates.
The region’s road safety representatives have also organised a car wreck display, at Z in Whakatāne on Saturday, October 26, to further highlight the fatigue issue and promote other key road safety messages. Council and Z staff will engage with motorists in an effort to raise community awareness of road safety. We’ll also be giving away a $100 petrol voucher, so stop into Z and get yourself in the draw.
NZTA’s website features plenty of useful advice on how to avoid driver fatigue. Visit www.nzta.govt.nz
For localised road safety news and events visit the Eastern Bay road safety page on Facebook.