The relationship between driver fatigue and rules limiting hours of driving and work

Research has highlighted the contribution of fatigue to driving accidents, but it is much less clear about the relationship of fatigue to driving hours. The aims of this project were to review existing UK and international research and other published material in order to determine any links that exist between long driving or working hours and driver fatigue, and theextent to which limits on hours of driving or work help to prevent fatigue related accidents for drivers. To accomplish these a review of drivers'hours rules in the UK has been conducted within the context of relevant scientific literature (Chapter 2), an analysis of relevant GB accident databases (Chapter 3), a detailed review of domestic legislation around Europe(Chapter 4), and an examination of practice in the USA, Canada and Australia (Chapter 5).¹This report is designed to provide information to inform the ongoing review of the domestic drivers' hours legislation in the UK and initial conclusions drawn from this review and future recommendations are presented in Chapter 6. Any changes to current drivers' hours rules, both EU and UK domestic would need very careful consideration. The question of potential relaxation in exceptional circumstances, must first consider the evidence for a direct link between driving duration and accident rate. Neither the research literature nor the GB accident databases considered in this review, have revealed a strong link between hours driven and accidents. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09684107
• Authors:
  • PARKES, A M
  • GILLAN, W
  • CYNK, S
• Publication Date: 2009

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: R413
• Serial:
  • TRL Report
  • Publisher: TRL
  • ISSN: 0968-4107

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drivers; Fatigue (Physiological condition); High risk drivers; Hours; Legislation; Prevention; Safety; Travel time; Working conditions
• Uncontrolled Terms: Causes
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 2279: Accident proneness; 9003: Cause; 1772: Driver; 2222: Fatigue (human); 9030: Hour; 697: Journey time; 1556: Legislation; 2261: Working conditions
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01138840
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: TRL
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Aug 31 2009 7:47AM