Importance of Truck rest stops.

Driver fatigue is undoubtedly the most significant cause of heavy vehicle road crashes in Oz. In order for drivers to take regular rest breaks, truck stops and rest areas are located throughout the highways of Australia.

Truck rest stops play a vital role in fatigue management and ensuring that drivers stop and rejuvenate along the journey in order to continue on safely.

Driving and rest hours are regulated for drivers of heavy vehicles and drivers need to stick to these hours in order to combat fatigue and drowsiness. According to chain of responsibility laws all parties in the supply chain are responsible for preventing driver fatigue. In other words drivers are not the only one responsible for ensuring that they do not drive while fatigued. The superiors who may have devised their schedule unrealistically or consignors who set unrealistic deadlines are also responsible if these actions cause the driver to drive while fatigued.

The chain of responsibility laws also dictate how many long and night hours a driver may work over a certain period. During long shifts and night shifts truck rest stops are particularly useful because they provide a place to stop, get some exercise and fresh air to prevent fatigue from setting in.

Eat something light and have something to drink at the rest stop, this will make you more alert but don’t have heavy meals that will make you feel more tired.  The golden rule of heavy vehicle driving is, stop if you feel tired or fatigued, no deadline is worth risking your life over.