Amateur hunters urged to stay safe as they head to the bush
Drivers travelling throughout western NSW to go hunting are being urged to take precautions to ensure they avoid driver fatigue.
Driver fatigue is a significant factor in crashes across the state’s west, and many amateur hunters will be on the road at night or early morning over ANZAC Day and the following weekend.
Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn said hunting is usually a nighttime activity and groups of mostly younger people travel together over this period, hunting in rural areas – often getting little sleep.
“These are primarily young, fit people who probably feel they have the stamina to hunt all night and still drive home safely, but the statistics sadly prove otherwise and show that the likelihood of a microsleep on the way home is very real,” Mr Lunn said.
“While they may feel ok to drive on the way home, the lack of sleep means conditions are ripe for the driver to have a microsleep – especially if their mates are asleep and they are the only one awake in the car.”
A microsleep is a short, unplanned sleep episode, and while it only takes a moment or two, the results can be catastrophic.
A vehicle doing 100 km/h can travel 13 car lengths in just 2 seconds while completely out of the driver’s control.
“That’s more than enough to leave the road or even hit an oncoming vehicle,” Mr Lunn said.
“We are urging hunters to not drive at all if they’re tired, be aware of the early signs of driver fatigue and if they notice those, take a break.
“Always get a good night’s sleep before travelling, share the driving on long distances and, if you’re tired, pull over and have a sleep. “
Early warning signs of fatigue include yawning, restlessness, tired eyes, or oversteering.
Tired drivers will also look for things to keep them awake like changing music or using their mobile phones – which just adds to the risk.
Another important tip is to make sure someone in the car stays awake on the ride home to keep the driver company. Many times, a passenger has noticed the driver is starting to nod off and has intervened or said something that may well have saved their lives.
The latest Transport for NSW data shows in the five years to the end of 2021, driver fatigue was a significant factor in 782 crashes across the western region.
Tragically 66 people died and 342 were seriously injured in those crashes.
“Please, don’t drive home tired and avoid driving at night or in the early morning when you would normally be asleep,” Mr Lunn said.
“A 15 to 20-minute sleep can be all it takes to keep you and your mates safe, so don’t try to push through.”