Naas Traffic Corps checking HGV drivers around Kildare this week to combat driver fatigue

By Kim O’Leary

Kildare Gardai are carrying out checks on HGV drivers  around Kildare this week, with the aim of the checks to encourage HGV drivers who often work long shifts to rest adequately so as to prevent them having a crash on the road due to fatigue.

Members of Naas Traffic Corps are checking tachographs from HGV vehicles to ensure that drivers are taking the time to rest and not driving for an extended period of time without breaks.

In Naas a large HGV was pulled over and on their twitter page An Garda Siochana said that "rest time for drivers is vital" and they are encouraging drivers to pull in to sleep for a 15-20 minute nap if necessary or to drink a coffee from a nearby garage.

[embed]https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/953686050521714689[/embed]

The Road Safety Authority has issued advice for drivers concerning fatigue with night workers and truck drivers who are coming off shift and driving home said to be in a high-risk group. Meanwhile, those suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and insomnia are also in the high-risk category.

The advice for drivers suffering from fatigue and who find themselves fighting sleep at the wheel is to use common sense and listen to the signals your body is sending, to pull in somewhere safe and to take a 15-20 minute nap. If possible,  take a caffeine drink just before the nap.

The caffeine takes about 20-30 minutes to take effect. After the nap, take some fresh air. By the time you restart your journey, the caffeine should have taken effect.

By taking a nap and drinking caffeine you should be able to drive for another one to two hours. Drinking caffeine alone should enable a driver to drive for another half hour to one hour.

For more advice and information visit www.rsa.ie