A research-led program helping fleets, supervisors and drivers recognise fatigue risks and take practical action before tired driving becomes a safety issue.
Fatigue is a factor in an estimated 20% of road crashes[1], and people who drive for work are overrepresented in crash statistics. Fatigue can build through long hours, early starts, demanding schedules, stressful conditions and pressure to keep moving.
Managing Fatigue for the Long Haul can help organisations turn fatigue awareness into practical workplace action by giving supervisors and drivers simple tools to recognise fatigue, understand the risks, and act early.
The program was developed through the Australian Automobile Association’s Road Safety Research Program. It is based on research led by Monash University Accident Research Centre in partnership with the National Road Safety Partnership Program.
Turning research into practical action
Managing fatigue is not just about knowing when someone is tired. It is about creating the right conditions for people to speak up, recognise warning signs and use strategies that work in real workplace settings.
The program is designed to support both workers and supervisors. For drivers, it helps build awareness of fatigue signs, risk factors and practical strategies to manage tiredness before and during driving. For supervisors, it supports better conversations, stronger decision-making and a workplace culture where fatigue is taken seriously.
The package
The Managing Fatigue for the Long Haul package includes:
- five short videos covering why fatigue management matters, fatigue awareness, recognising signs of fatigue, practical strategies and a systems approach
- five supporting fact sheets aligned to each topic
- a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation for the full two-hour Managing Fatigue program
- facilitator guides for supervisors and managers delivering the program.
A research-led program with evidence of impact
Managing Fatigue for the Long Haul was co-designed with experts and industry partners, and evaluated with workers and supervisors from participating organisations, including RACV, Tip Top and Southern Cross Protection.
Participants said the workshops helped them better understand fatigue, recognise warning signs and identify realistic strategies for safer driving.
An evaluation also showed practical behaviour change. Workers who completed the program were more likely to use fatigue-management strategies, while those who were not sleeping well at the start reported better sleep habits and fewer signs of fatigued driving at follow-up.
Supervisors also reported greater awareness of fatigue risks across their teams.
Build a fatigue-aware culture in your fleet
The program’s resources are flexible and can be used in various ways that suit each organisation’s capabilities and needs. Teams can run a full facilitated workshop using the PowerPoint presentation and facilitator guide, or they can use the short videos and fact sheets as standalone resources for toolbox talks, individual learning or follow-up discussions.
Download the resources and run the program with your team.
For an in-person facilitated session for your organisation, contact the AAA at research@aaa.asn.au
[1] Transport Accident Commission (2018): https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/action-plan/2018 2020/fatigue