Toronto, Ontario -- Most drivers are familiar with feeling their eyes getting heavy when fatigue begins to set in on a long summer drive. For drivers in British Columbia, that experience is all too common, as a new Ipsos survey found that one-in-four B.C. drivers momentarily nodded off while driving in the past year.
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia is warning drivers to be aware of fatigue, a frequently disregarded summer danger caused by long drives and hot weather that can lead to serious, preventable crashes. More than half – 52 percent – of all drivers also reported that they’ve driven while tired or drowsy in the past year.
According to police data, 71 percent more people are injured or killed in fatigue-related crashes in July and August in B.C. compared to the rest of the year. The B.C. Day long weekend is especially dangerous, as on average over the weekend, two people are killed and 562 people are injured in 2,064 crashes throughout the province.
“It’s alarming that so many drivers on our roads have been tired enough that they’ve nodded off or fallen asleep,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC road safety manager, in a press release. “If you’re feeling rested, keep in mind that hot summer weather can be draining, especially on long drives, so plan to take a break every two hours to keep your energy levels up and switch drivers if you can.”
About two thirds – or 68 percent – of drivers who drove while fatigued in the past year cited a lack of sleep the night before as a factor, while 53 percent reported they drove too long without a break and 48 percent cited the time of day that they traveled. Of those who lacked sleep, 38 percent had slept four hours or less the night before. Nearly half – 46 percent – of drivers who attributed their fatigue to long drives had been driving three hours or more without a break.
In partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, ICBC has invested $2.7 million in new shoulder and centreline rumble strips on B.C. highways since 2016 in an effort to prevent driver fatigue-related crashes.
The majority of drivers surveyed — 81 percent — feel that driving while tired or drowsy has a very serious or serious impact on the safety of road users in B.C., but fatigued driving is perceived as somewhat less of a safety threat. The other driving behaviours assessed in the survey — impaired driving, distracted driving, running red lights and excessive speeding — were viewed as having a very serious or serious impact by 93, 92, 90 and 88 percent of drivers respectively.
Young drivers aged 18 to 34 recognize that driving while fatigued poses a safety risk to road users, but only 32 percent of them view it as a very serious safety risk. Young drivers are also most likely to drive while fatigued in the past year, with 74 percent of respondents saying they have, compared to only 46 percent of drivers aged 35 and older. Young drivers also reported nodding off while driving more often than other age groups.
If you are experiencing symptoms of fatigue, such as the inability to recall the previous few minutes of driving, blurred vision and difficulty keeping your head up, pull over when it is safe to do so and take a nap. ICBC’s summary of findings reported that fresh air, music and caffeinated beverages are most commonly relied upon by drivers to stay alert at the wheel.
Strategies to prevent driver fatigue include getting a good night’s sleep, considering how you feel before you start driving and understanding the effects of any medications you’re taking could have on your driving.
