When it comes to driving for work, whether it is long-distance travelling to mine sites or gas plants, pipeline inspections, client meetings, or across vast distances for fieldwork, fatigue and safety should always be top priorities. In Australia, with an increase in road fatalities1, particularly linked to fatigue, businesses must adopt proactive measures to ensure driver well-being and prevent accidents.
Long work-related drives can significantly increase the risk of fatigue, with drivers often spending hours on the road in challenging conditions. According to recent statistics, in 2023, Australia recorded its deadliest year on the road in five years, with over 1,266 road deaths. Notably, fatigue is linked to approximately 30% of fatal accidents.1
This risk is even higher when drivers push themselves to meet deadlines or are not accustomed to long-distance travel, leading to lapses in concentration, slower reaction times, and an increased likelihood of accidents. Moreover, 28% of Australians have admitted to experiencing a microsleep episode while driving. 2
To combat this, companies need to prioritize fatigue management systems and safe driving practices. Employees should be encouraged to take breaks, stay hydrated, and avoid driving during peak fatigue hours. Additionally, establishing clear protocols for how long an employee can drive before taking a rest can help manage these risks effectively.
To enhance safety, Applus+ IVMS (In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems) plays a critical role.
In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS) focuses on a proactive approach by optimising performance, accuracy, and usability over time. IVMS are crucial for tool for continuous improvement by monitoring vehicle behaviours, driver performance, and real-time diagnostics, making them a valuable tool for fleet management by ensuring road safety. Furthermore, the system provides additional levels of security by allowing live tracking of their vehicles and assets.
By offering real-time monitoring of driver behaviour, these systems can detect signs of fatigue and poor driving habits. The system tracks key metrics such as speed, acceleration, braking, and even drowsiness, alerting managers to any concerning patterns. For example, if a driver is exhibiting erratic driving behaviour that suggests fatigue, IVMS can trigger an alert, prompting the driver to pull over for a break.
Incorporating IVMS technology into a company's safety strategy helps not only in preventing fatigue but also in tracking overall driving performance. This allows businesses to evaluate the performance of our employees and provide targeted training to reduce the risks associated with long-distance work-related driving.
Throughout 2024, the Applus+ team have covered an astonishing 105,000 without coming up against a single recordable event for Chinchilla. This amazing achievement shows the professionalism and dedication from the Applus+ team.
Fatigue can sneak up on drivers, especially when travelling long distances. It is crucial to pause for at least 15 minutes every 2 hours of driving. This break provides an opportunity to stretch, hydrate, and re-energize, which helps maintain alertness and focus.
Distractions are a major cause of accidents on the road. Activities such as eating, drinking, talking on the phone, tuning the radio, or programming the navigation system divert the driver’s attention from the road. These distractions can be particularly dangerous, causing delayed reactions and missed hazards. Drivers should prioritise staying focused on the road and avoid any non-driving tasks while behind the wheel.
Adhering to traffic regulations and speed limits is essential for safe driving. Speeding increases the risk of losing control, while disregarding other traffic laws, such as yielding or following proper lane discipline, can result in accidents. Make sure to follow the rules of the road to reduce risk and increase safety.
Driving conditions can vary, and it is important to adjust driving habits based on the road, weather, and traffic conditions. Factors such as wet roads, fog, snow, or heavy traffic require extra caution. Adapting to the terrain, whether it is hilly, winding, or unfamiliar, is also crucial. Slowing down, increasing following distance, and staying alert will help anticipate potential hazards.
Familiarity with the route is a significant advantage. Drivers who know where they are going can plan breaks and anticipate difficult stretches of road. Additionally, understanding typical driver behaviour—such as speeders or aggressive drivers—helps predict potential risks and allows for better decision-making.
Many countries or states have specific laws designed to improve road safety, such as banning mobile phone use while driving or restricting driving hours. Compliance with these laws is critical to minimizing risks on the road. Always ensure that driving behaviours are within the legal boundaries and consider how local regulations might impact driving patterns.
A well-maintained vehicle plays a huge role in preventing accidents. Regularly check tyre pressure, brakes, lights, and oil levels. A roadworthy car ensures better handling and reliability, which can prevent breakdowns and accidents.
By following these practices—coupled with the use of tools like Applus+ IVMS to monitor driving behaviour—workplace driving safety can be dramatically improved. This technology helps detect signs of fatigue and risky behaviour in real-time, enabling prompt interventions before the situation escalates into a dangerous incident.
Ensuring safety while driving for work is not just about avoiding accidents; it is about developing habits and systems that support long-term well-being and focus on the road.
By integrating these practices with innovative technologies like Applus+ IVMS, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of fatigue-related accidents and ensure the safety of their employees while travelling for work.
If you’re interested in learning more about our IVM system, please contact us today.
Jamie Madden is a seasoned Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) professional with over a decade of experience driving safety excellence and operational compliance across industries such as oil and gas, renewable energy, and heavy construction.
In his role as QHSE Advisor at Applus+ in Australia, Jamie is at the forefront of managing complex QHSE systems, delivering risk assessments, leading audits, and conducting incident investigations. His hands-on approach and deep expertise in ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 compliance, enable him to deliver practical, results-driven solutions for clients and teams on-site.
With a reputation for enhancing safety culture and fostering continuous improvement, Jamie brings both leadership and technical insight to every project. His ability to align safety, quality, and performance makes him an invaluable asset in ensuring Applus+ exceeds QHSE expectations.
Applus+ uses first-party and third-party cookies for analytical purposes and to show you personalized advertising based on a profile drawn up based on your browsing habits (eg. visited websites). You can accept all cookies by pressing the "Accept" button or configure or reject their use. Consult our Cookies Policy for more information.
They allow the operation of the website, loading media content and its security. See the cookies we store in our Cookies Policy.
They allow us to know how you interact with the website, the number of visits in the different sections and to create statistics to improve our business practices. See the cookies we store in our Cookies Policy.