Australia's heavy vehicle transport freight industry is essential to the economy but, despite major advances in technology supporting driver safety, fatigue remains a leading issue. Even for the most seasoned drivers the long hours, often overnight or in challenging conditions, can threaten driver and road safety.
The National Truck Accident Research Centre's (NTARC) latest Major Incident Investigation Report reveals that human factor incidents account for a greater rate of claims than all other cause categories combined.
For transport operators, fatigue is a risk management area. Practical changes in planning, health support and accountability across the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) can make a measurable difference. With proactive measures and shared responsibility, transport operators can protect people, reduce incidents and keep freight moving safely.
Why human factors deserve attention
- Inattention/distraction was the single largest contributor to incidents in 2024, making up 17.9% of all crashes. The top three sub‑causes — inattention/distraction, inadequate following distance and inappropriate speed — accounted for 60.9% of human‑factor crashes1.
- Looking specifically at heavy‑vehicle drivers, fatigue accounted for the highest fatality rate — 0.32 per 10,000 heavy vehicles — ahead of speed selection and medical events. Many of these were single‑vehicle, 'off‑path' events, the classic fatigue profile.
The key human factor risks truck drivers experience
- Inattention: If the driver loses mental focus, it erodes situational awareness and decision‑making. The condition may be a precursor to loss of control of the vehicle.
- Distraction: When the driver's attention is diverted by external stimuli, commonly phones, console screens, route‑planning systems or eating and drinking, the driver can become distracted. In-cabin technologies, such as route-planning systems and electronic work diaries, which demand extra attention from the driver, can further compound the risk of distraction while driving.
- Inappropriate speed: This is not necessarily speeding but rather driving at a speed inappropriate to the vehicle, load, road geometry or conditions — especially on curves. Such misjudgements are a primary driver of single‑vehicle rollovers, particularly for articulated combinations.
Practical fatigue‑management measures to help reduce risks
According to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), the best practices for industry operators focus on these key areas2:
Smarter scheduling and rest
- Plan rosters to minimise driving during circadian lows (midnight — 06:00 AM) when alertness is lowest. If night work is unavoidable, avoid stacking night legs back‑to‑back and rotate drivers and build genuine recovery time into the schedule.
- Incorporate fatigue principles outlined in the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme, such as Basic Fatigue Management and Advanced Fatigue Management to attach clear risk controls.
- Make electronic work diaries standard. They prompt breaks, give schedulers real-time visibility and help leaders see patterns. Pair this with a 'no penalty for safe stops' rule so drivers aren't forced to choose between compliance and safety.
Prioritise health and wellbeing for alertness
- Offer sleep‑health screening for existing conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnoea. Introducing mental‑health support and coaching on sleep hygiene, hydration and nutrition directly targets inattention and fatigue precursors.
- Make cabs more comfortable. Small ergonomic improvements — better seating, ventilation, vibration control — reduce physical fatigue and the 'off‑path' errors that come with it.
Incorporate tools and practical driver support
- Deploy fatigue/distraction detection systems. Supervisors review data from these systems to learn and improve reducing risk on future trips.
- Use telematics data to see what is happening during driving operations and to identify early indicators of fatigue. Data from following distances, hard-brake events, lane deviations and light at night (LAN) exposure can highlight patterns that predict fatigue.
Ensure safety is always a priority focus
Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, everyone in the transport chain shares a primary duty to make operations activities safe so far as reasonably practicable. Leaders of haulage firms are expected to demonstrate they have taken appropriate action to improve safety. Practically, that means schedules that allow legal work/rest periods and ensure drivers aren't pressured to drive fatigued, as well as robust record‑keeping, training and regular audits of staff and contractors.
In addition, Australia's National Road Safety Strategy targets Vision Zero by 2050. Collaboration between operators, regulators and insurers to manage fatigue, distraction, speed‑for‑conditions and following distance is crucial to achieving this goal.
How to improve fatigue risks: A summary for transport operators
- Policy and culture: A clear, leadership‑approved fatigue policy that sets expectations for safe work. It explicitly encourages drivers to stop work when they feel fatigued.
- Scheduling: Driver rosters are designed to minimise fatigue risk. This includes avoiding back‑to‑back night shifts and building in planned rest and recovery windows that allow drivers to get proper sleep.
- National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme pathway: Making use of recognised fatigue management pathways, such as Basic Fatigue Management or Advanced Fatigue Management that are supported by documented controls, regular reviews and continuous improvement.
- EWDs and records: Review electronic work diaries (EWDs) routinely and actively monitor for early signs of fatigue.
- Health support: Ensuring drivers have access to health programs that include sleep assessments, wellbeing coaching and mental health support.
- Tech for monitoring risk: Use fatigue and distraction detection technology consistently. Set up clear guidelines on how data is used to train drivers.
- Gap management: Use training and technology work together to help drivers understand and maintain safe following distances, particularly in busy urban areas where fatigue‑related risks increase.
- Chain of responsibility training: Schedulers, loaders and other staff must ensure they understand responsibilities and how their actions, like allotting shifts or managing turnaround times can influence driver fatigue.
- Audits and action: Fatigue practices to be audited regularly and the businesses should focus on fixing the root causes of fatigue risk, not just the visible symptoms or only taking action on compliance breaches.
How Gallagher can help
When drivers are fatigued, the risk and prevalence of serious mistakes rise. These mistakes often lead to bigger accidents, causing major injuries or total damage. If fatigue-driven accidents continue over time, they will impact the operators' claims history and that can influence premiums in future renewal periods.
At Gallagher, our experienced transport specialists work closely with businesses of all sizes to design tailored insurance and risk solutions that help you:
- Secure company assets
- Protect drivers
- Manage operational risks
- Safeguard reputation and stay compliant.
