Victorian drivers are falling asleep at the wheel, a new survey has found

More than 40 per cent of Victorian motorists have nodded off at the wheel and the consequences are often fatal. Here’s some tips to beat fatigue this holiday season.

More than one in three Victorian motorists have nodded off at the wheel, a new survey of “microsleeping” has found. Picture: TAC

More than one in three Victorian motorists have nodded off at the wheel, a new survey of “microsleeping” has found.

A survey by the insurance company Budget Direct found 41.2 per cent of motorists in the state had caught themselves dozing while driving.

Falling asleep at the wheel for one to 10 seconds is defined as a “microsleep”, and can be fatal.

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A motorist who falls asleep for four seconds while driving at 100kmh will travel 111m while unconscious.

Police say fatigue contributes to as many road deaths as speeding and driving while on drugs. It is believed to be a factor in about one in five fatal crashes in Victoria.

Men, the young, and those in rural areas are considered to be the drivers at a “higher risk” of fatigue-related crashes.

A man takes a powernap in his car. Stock photo.

Men were 12 per cent more likely than women to have experienced a microsleep. Of men surveyed, nearly half admitted to dozing off.

“Driver fatigue is dangerous because it can affect anyone, no matter how experienced a driver they might be,” said a Victoria Police spokesman.

“Australian national data indicates a significant increase in fatigue-related crashes in holiday periods, such as Christmas and Easter.

“If drivers are feeling sleepy, they should stop driving immediately. There is no cure for fatigue except sleep.”

RACV safety and education manager Elvira Lazar said it was up to all motorists to recognise the warning signs of fatigue and take a break.

“Fatigue is a factor in one in five fatal crashes on Victorian roads, which is far too high for something that we can all work to avoid,” she said.

“As more people are moving around the state to see their loved ones for the festive season, drivers need to prioritise their safety and the safety of others on the road by recognising the signs of fatigue.

“Driving while fatigued poses a number of risks as it can affect reaction time and decision-making, and can increase the chance of crashes.”

Motorists can avoid the dangers of fatigue by driving only in the hours during which they are normally awake, by taking regular breaks, and by taking “power naps” should they experience any signs of fatigue.

A Victoria Police spokesman warned: “Common strategies drivers adopt when feeling sleepy, such as turning the music up, opening the windows, or turning on the airconditioning, have been proven not to work”.

Budget Direct spokesman Jonathan Kerr said drivers were four times as likely to have a fatigue-induced fatal crash between 10pm and dawn.

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