What is typical for a fatigue-related crash?

In general, a fatigue-related crash has some of the following characteristics [12] [15]:

  • The vehicle ran off the road or bumped into a (stationary) car in front/object.
  • The crash occurred on a road with a high speed limit.
  • The crash occurred between midnight and dawn.
  • There were no skid marks.
  • The driver had a clear view of the road.
  • There were no passengers in the vehicle.
  • There are no other plausible explanations (such as alcohol use or indisposition).

In general, the outcome of a fatigue-related crash is serious, in particular because the impact speed is high as brakes are not used.

Part of fact sheet

Fatigue

Driver fatigue is estimated to be a (contributing) factor in 15 to 20% of crashes, but estimates in individual studies vary widely.

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Reproduction is allowed with due acknowledgement: 

SWOV (2019). Fatigue. SWOV fact sheet, September 2019. SWOV, The Hague.

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