Objective Of The Policy

We are committed to providing passengers with a safe and reliable commercial passenger service. Our driver fatigue management policy aims to ensure that drivers are fit to drive while undertaking a passenger service for URCAB customers. As part of URCAB's commitment to safety and fatigue management, drivers may be temporarily locked out of the URCAB driver app after long periods of activity. By accepting the terms of registration with URCAB, you agree to comply with this driver fatigue management policy and with any reasonable instruction, safety policy or procedure adopted by URCAB.

Definition of fatigue

Fatigue is a feeling of constant tiredness or weakness and can be physical, mental or a combination of both. It can affect anyone, and most adults will experience fatigue at some point in their life. Fatigue means a gradual loss of alertness that leads to occasional microsleeps (or 'nodding off') and then sleep. Driver fatigue can be caused by too little sleep, driving when you would normally be asleep or remaining awake and driving for extended periods of time. Fatigue can cause a vast range of other physical, mental and emotional symptoms including:

• Chronic tiredness or sleepiness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Sore or aching muscles
• Muscle weakness
• Slowed reflexes and responses
• Moodiness, such as irritability
• Impaired hand-to-eye coordination
• Appetite loss
• Reduced immune system function
• Blurry vision
• Short-term memory problems
• Poor concentration
• Hallucinations
• Reduced ability to pay attention to the situation at hand
• Low motivation
• Decreased tolerance for other road users
• Poor lane tracking and maintenance of speed
• Decreased alertness

Danger Signs

Danger signs that you are suffering from driver fatigue include:

• Wandering thoughts
• Missing a gears, road signs or exits
• Slowing unintentionally
• Braking too late
• Excessive yawning
• Blinking more than usual or sore eyes
• Difficulty keeping your head up
• Noticing your eyes closing involuntarily
• Appetite loss

Diagnosing fatigue

As fatigue can present a vast range of symptoms and be caused by many different factors working in combination, diagnosis can be difficult. Your doctor may diagnose fatigue using a number of tests including:

Fatigue management

Driver fatigue is a significant safety hazard to you, your passengers and other road users.Fatigue reduces attentiveness and alertness to dangers, slows reaction times and can lead to micro-sleeps – factors contributing to the risk of a road crash. To mitigate against this risk, you should avoid driving tired. The risks associated with fatigue are best managed before you start driving by ensuring you regularly get enough sleep and avoid driving for lengthy periods of time or following a full day's work.

• Medical history – recent events such as childbirth, medication, surgery or bereavement may contribute to fatigue.
• Physical examination – to check for signs of illness or disease. Your doctor may also ask detailed questions about diet, lifestyle and life events.
• Tests – such as blood tests, urine tests, x-rays and other investigations. The idea is to rule out any physical causes, for example anaemia, infection or hormonal problems.

Treating fatigue

Fatigue is a symptom – something you can feel and describe – not a condition or disease. To reduce your fatigue you first need to understand what the underlying reasons for your fatigue are. If fatigue is having a negative effect on your quality of life, or causing you distress, then consider speaking with a health professional. By asking questions, they will help you work out why you are experiencing fatigue, and offer some suggestions on how to find relief. If necessary, your doctor might suggest certain medical tests if there is a reasonable chance the cause of your fatigue may be an undiagnosed medical issue (for example, anaemia or thyroid dysfunction). Fortunately, for most people fatigue will get better over time on its own or with some simple and practical lifestyle changes.

Things to remember

Fatigue can be caused by a number of factors working in combination, such as medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle choices, workplace problems and stress.

• Most adults will experience fatigue at some point in their life.
• If you are getting enough sleep, good nutrition and exercising regularly but still find it hard to perform everyday activities, concentrate or be motivated, you may be experiencing fatigue.
• Always see your doctor for diagnosis if you are suffering from chronic tiredness.