With summer holiday road trips now in full swing, Manitoba Public Insurance is raising awareness about the dangers of driver fatigue ─ on average, 75 crashes each year in the province are tied to some form of driver fatigue. Some of these crashes are fatal.
In a recent poll conducted by Manitoba Public Insurance, almost half of 800 respondents reported driving while drowsy/sleepy.
“Survey data confirms people are pushing themselves when fatigues. Raising awareness about this issue is important as we enter into summer where traffic volumes on our highways typically increase as people travel to holiday destinations,” said Satvir Jatana, Vice President, Employee and Community Engagement, Manitoba Public Insurance.
“Some drivers may be tempted to push themselves to drive for longer periods of time to get to their holiday destinations more quickly, but doing so could lead to unnecessary collisions. Driver fatigue is a concern to everyone on our roadways.”
When traveling on summer road trips alone or with family, it’s important that drivers remember to build in time for frequent breaks to ensure a safe arrival. Drivers should also build in time for potential travel delays due to severe weather, traffic congestion or road construction.
“We encourage all drivers to self-monitor and be aware of the symptoms of fatigue,” said Jatana. “This means recognizing when you are too tired to be behind the wheel. Pull over, rest and continue on when you’re alert and completely awake. It’s better to arrive late than not at all.”
Fatigue warning symptoms to watch for while driving:
- Can’t stop yawning
- Trouble keeping your eyes open
- Can’t remember the last few kilometers you’ve driven
- Car starts drifting within your lane
- Unable to concentrate and find that your thoughts wander
If you have one of these symptoms, it’s best to get off the road and to find a safe rest area to take a nap.