There was a time when roadside alcohol and drug testing seemed impossible, yet today, they’re essential tools in the road safety toolkit. So, where are we now with roadside fatigue testing?
Fatigue is a major contributor to road trauma, but there’s still more work to be done to get a widely accepted “test” to measure it at the roadside. While fatigue detection technology is advancing, its application in enforcement is still not occurring.
Fatigue-related crashes are particularly concerning because they often occur in the rural, higher speed network, and thus the outcome of crashes are more severe. With no clear roadside test, the focus has been on education, awareness, and voluntary compliance, which is helpful, but not enough.
Technology like in-vehicle fatigue monitoring systems and trials of roadside detection methods are promising, and many countries are starting to explore ways to identify and address driver fatigue more proactively. Could Australia lead the charge in turning these technologies into actionable roadside tests, just as we’ve done with alcohol and drugs?
Just because something seems impossible now doesn’t mean it always will be. Roadside fatigue testing could be one of the next big step in making our roads safer for everyone.
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