A survey of light freight vehicle and short-haul drivers in NSW was undertaken. Drivers were recruited from seven areas in the state from both ancillary and specialist transport operations. Unlike the long distance heavy vehicle drivers in a previous Australian survey, most of the light vehicle and short-haul drivers in the current survey were daytime workers. Surprisingly, however, they reported driver fatigue to be as much a personal problem as did the long distance heavy vehicle drivers. The results of the current survey also showed differences between subgroups of light and short-haul drivers in their experiences of driver fatigue and in some characteristics of their work. Sydney-based drivers and owners, for example, were more likely to report fatigue, longer working hours and higher workloads than regional drivers and employees. This paper will explore the relationships between work, fatigue and safety risks for these drivers as well as summarising their views on useful fatigue management initiatives. The survey results suggest that fatigue among light vehicle and short-haul drivers deserves greater attention as a potential road safety issue. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E215375.
Abstract