Should you be driving home from the Breakthrough?

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Sleep Deprivation Management:

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The risks of sleep deprivation and driver fatigue have been highlighted by an accident involving a team driving home from the 2004 RACV Energy Breakthrough.

Download the RACV’s Driver Fatigue Checklist to ensure that you’re safe to drive home from the Breakthrough.
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A vehicle in the convoy from Weeroona College in Bendigo ran off the road during the one hour (80km) drive from Maryborough to Bendigo at around 4pm following the 2004 event. Fortunately, the occupants sustained only minor injuries from a situation that could have been much worse.

Head of Technology Studies at Weeroona College, John Taylor pictured right, recalls the incident: “The vehicle left the road and squeezed between two trees - breaking off both side view mirrors in the process. The vehicle eventually came to a stop in a vacant paddock, with the occupants taken to hospital with grazes and cuts. Had the trees been closer together or the paddock not empty – we could have been looking at a double-fatality. We’ll definitely be ensuring we have well rested designated drivers this year, both for our riders and pit crews, but our supporters as well.”

The driver was an ex-student from the college and a member of the college’s hybrid pit crew – highlighting the energy injected into the event by the team’s support crews – and how tiring this event can be.

“Designated drivers need to make sure they have enough energy and sleep to make it home. We’re encouraging each team to ensure they focus on their safety during travel. ” Event co-ordinator John Stafford said.

Teams are strongly encouraged to designate a driver – one who is not involved in the pits overnight during the event – and who can ensure that the event’s participants arrive home safely. Teams can also stay overnight on the Sunday after the event to ensure that the team travels safely, the mobile toilets and showers are removed by this time, but the permanent amenities will be made available.

“One way to manage this would be for teams who are currently arriving on Wednesday – to arrive on the Thursday and leave on the Monday instead.” Stafford added. “Over the past couple of years interstate teams have stayed the extra night and they strongly welcome this over a tired and weary 3 or 6 hour drive home.”

RACV statistics show that 25% of all crashes involve fatigue. Many of the myths about overcoming fatigue – including the false promises of coffee, music, fresh air, ‘youth’ and one’s ability to ‘know their own body’ are all dispelled in the RACV’s Driver Fatigue Checklist.

Download it today and have it available for your designated drivers during the Energy Breakthrough – or anytime you go for a long drive or trip. The driver checklist is a joint initiative of the RACV, Rural Ambulance Victoria and Metropolitan Ambulance Service.

Traffic accident statistics report that a driver who has been awake for 18 hours produced impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .05, and .10 after 24 hours.

This is an alarming statistic by anyone’s standards, but add an exciting weekend like the Energy Breakthrough and it’s a recipe for trouble.

Preparation is the key to the Energy Breakthrough – ensure that you are well rested and alert when you are in control of any vehicle – whether it is a HPV, Pushcart, Hybrid, Bus or passenger vehicle.

Should you be driving home from the Breakthrough? - Remember the only cure for fatigue is sleep.

For more information about trip management, visit the RACV’s website.

To indicate that your school wishes to stay at the Energy Breakthrough site on the Sunday night – contact John Stafford or Martin Mark via our Contact page.

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