Road Safety Officer

Driver Fatigue

Before you drive:

Get a good night’s sleep

Avoid driving at night when your body will naturally want to sleep

Arrange to share the driving

Avoid long drives after work

Plan to take regular breaks from driving (use rest areas)

Catch a cab or public transport instead

Ask someone for a lift

Find out if any medicine you are taking may affect your driving

Know what the early warning signs of fatigue are

If you feel tired when driving:

Pull over for a break in a safe place

Pull over for a nap (20 minutes works best)

Swap drivers if you can

Stop for a coffee if you’re on a short drive, although the effects of caffeine won't help for long and won't work for everyone. Caffeine is not suitable for some people and can be harmful. Limits on the daily consumption of caffeine are recommended.

Even if you don’t feel tired, take regular breaks to avoid becoming tired

Sleep is the only cure

Remember that sleep is the only way to overcome tiredness.

The Science of sleep explains how circadian rhythms, sleep debt and sleep inertia affect your ability to drive.

Stay Safe Around Schools

School Buses

There is a 40km/h speed limit for traffic passing a school bus that is setting down or picking up school children. This speed limit is for all traffic travelling in the same direction as the bus, whether the bus is stationary or moving.

Children’s crossings

Parents should ensure that their child always uses the school crossing as this is the safest point of entry to the school.

Where there is a school crossing supervisor at a school crossing, pedestrians must wait on the footpath, at least one step back from the edge of the road, until the school crossing supervisor indicates that it is safe to cross.

Drivers must not proceed until the crossing supervisor’s hand-held sign is no longer displayed, or until the crossing supervisor indicates that the motorist may proceed through the crossing.

At an unsupervised children’s crossing when ‘CHILDREN CROSSING’ flags are displayed, drivers must stop at the white line if pedestrians are waiting to cross at the crossing. Drivers must remain stationary until the crossing is completely clear of pedestrians. A children’s crossing is a part‑time crossing that operates before and after school hours, and at times when children are using the crossing, such as for excursions or during lunchtimes.

40 kmh school zones

Most 40km/h school zones operate between 8am and 9.30am and from 2.30pm till 4pm. The 40km/h school zone speed limit must be observed even if school children cannot be seen.

While some schools may operate on different term dates, school zone speed limits must be adhered to during NSW Government determined school terms.

Road Safety Action Plan

GEARED

The GEARED website is designed to help younger drivers and learners with a range of information relevant to them. It is accessible at http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/geared/index.html

ANCAP

Buying a new car? The ANCAP website can help you to choose the safest vehicle for your needs. It is accessible at http://www.ancap.com.au/home