For businesses with employees who drive as part of their role, whether that’s operating heavy vehicles, travelling between work sites, transporting passengers or managing fleet vehicles, driving represents one of the highest-risk work activities performed each day. While transport and logistics businesses are highly aware of the risks associated with driving, fatigue, distraction and reduced reaction times continue to contribute to serious incidents across Australian roads. These risks don’t just affect drivers; they can impact business operations, public safety, vehicles, cargo, productivity and compliance obligations. In 2024, Australia recorded more than 1,300 road fatalities, including 179 involving heavy vehicles (NHVR). For employers, this highlights the importance of actively managing driving-related risks as part of broader workplace health and safety responsibilities. For industries relying on transport and driving-based roles, understanding the impact of fatigue, delayed reaction times and driver distraction is critical in protecting workers, reducing incidents and creating safer workplaces, even if their workplace is on wheels. The Danger Of Fatigue Fatigue is one of the most underestimated workplace risks for employees who drive. Like many physical workplace hazards, fatigue can develop gradually but warning signs are visible. Symptoms can include reduced concentration, slower reaction times, impaired decision-making, frequent yawning, difficulty focusing and more. Studies show fatigue contributes to 20-30% of fatal crashes in Australia (National Road Safety Strategy) and in some cases, it is four times more impairing than drugs or alcohol. While drugs and alcohol remain significant road safety risks and is one of the biggest dangers to the roads, fatigue is often overlooked despite its ability to impair judgement, creating serious risks for drivers and other road users. For drivers spending long hours on the road, factors such as irregular shifts, inadequate sleep, physically demanding work and extended driving periods can all increase fatigue-related risk. Fatigue can affect: Reaction time Decision-making Attention span Hazard perception Ability to judge distance and speed At freeway speeds, even a one-second delay can result in a vehicle travelling close to 30 metres before a driver reacts. That’s the difference between avoiding an accident and being in one. Reaction Time As A Hazard Driving requires constant assessment and decision-making. Drivers must continuously monitor traffic conditions, respond to hazards and make split-second decisions that affect their own safety and the safety of others. When reaction time is impacted, drivers: Brake later than required Misjudge traffic gaps Take longer to identify hazards Respond incorrectly under pressure For heavy vehicle operators, these delays can be particularly significant due to increased vehicle size, weight and stopping distances. Reaction times need to be fast, always alert of surroundings and ready for whatever the road presents itself in the moment. Distractions: The Compounding Risk When people think about driver distraction, mobile phone use is often the first thing that comes to mind. While phones are definitely a significant road safety risk, distraction can take many forms. For drivers working long hours, distraction can come from: Mental fatigue Repetitive driving environments Time pressures and scheduling demands In-vehicle technology and communication systems External road conditions Passenger interactions When a driver’s attention is diverted from driving, risk increases significantly. Distractions can reduce situational awareness, impair decision-making and delay responses to hazards on the road. Where Fitness-to-Drive Assessments Fit In Managing driving-related risk requires more than fatigue awareness and safe scheduling practices. Businesses also need confidence that employees are medically capable of performing driving duties safely. Fitness-to-drive assessments provide an evaluation of a worker’s physical and mental capacity to undertake driving-related tasks. Depending on the role and requirements, assessments may include: Medical history review Vision assessment Hearing assessment Drug and alcohol screening Review of sleep disorders and fatigue-related conditions Assessment of neurological, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditions Evaluation of other health factors that may impact driving performance These can help identify health concerns that may affect alertness, reaction times, concentration or overall driving ability before they contribute to an incident. For employers, fitness-to-drive programs can support: Improved driver safety Early identification of health risks Better fatigue management outcomes Compliance with industry and regulatory requirements Informed return-to-work decisions Reduced operational and workplace risk When integrated into a broader health and safety strategy, fitness-to-drive assessments help businesses take a proactive approach in protecting workers, assets and the public. Supporting Safer Drivers and Safer Workplaces Driving-related risks cannot be eliminated, but can be effectively managed through appropriate fatigue controls, driver education, safe scheduling practices and ongoing health monitoring. If your organisation has workers who drive as part of their role, now is a good time to review your fitness-to-drive program and ensure it continues to support both safety and compliance outcomes. Whether you’re looking to implement a new program or strengthen an existing one, the WHA team can help you develop a solution tailored to your workforce and operational requirements. Protect your drivers, support your operations and stay ahead with WHA. Give us a call today on 1300 552 722 or enquire online