1-in-5 fell asleep behind the wheel: NRMA report

The NRMA’s Asleep at the Wheel report includes a survey of 1,870 members in NSW and the ACT, which found 21 per cent have fallen asleep or closed their eyes behind the wheel. Almost half (47%) drove tired in the last 12 months and of those, 20% drive tired at least once a week.

Asleep at the Wheel has been released in the lead-up to the Easter school holidays and while the NRMA is reminding drivers to take regular breaks if they are going away, the report shows that most tired trips (58%) occur during everyday driving, as opposed to long-distance driving (37%).

Last year, 75 people died on NSW roads (2024:74 deaths) due to fatigue-related crashes, representing 21 per cent of all fatalities. More than 40 per cent were aged 17 to 39.

Of particular concern is the impact of drowsy driving on at-risk groups including new parents, shift workers, young driver and people with sleep disorders. Asleep at the Wheel calls for:

• Targeted education and awareness campaigns on fatigued driving for at-risk groups
• Increased installation of anti-drowsy road treatments, such as audio tactile markings, in areas with a high risk of fatigue-related crashes
• Measures to encourage the uptake of safer vehicles - particularly among young drivers - with technology that may help prevent fatigue-related crashes, such as lane keep assist.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said most Australians would be shocked that over one-in-five road deaths was due to fatigue.

“The percentage of Australians who have fallen asleep or closed their tired eyes behind the wheel is identical to the percentage of deaths this causes on our roads – clearly more attention needs to be given to this dangerous behaviour,” Mr Khoury said.

“The NRMA has intentionally put this report out in the lead up to the Easter school holidays because we want families to take regular breaks if they’re going on a road trip. However, the Asleep atthe Wheel report clearly shows Australians are faced with this challenge all-year-round.

“With both the NSW and Australian governments scheduled to hand down their budgets in the next two months the NRMA is urging extra funding be allocated to install road treatments that wake drivers up if they are drifting asleep in areas where we know there is a risk of fatigue-related crashes.”

Asleep at the Wheel found that of those who reported driving while tired:

• 46% were sleep deprived
• 37% were mentally exhausted
• 33% cited work, study or caring demands.

Read the full Asleep at the Wheel report here.