The Driver

If you intend embarking on a long journey, there are a few precautions you should take the night before you leave. These include:

• Avoiding the consumption of alcohol
• Eating properly but not too heavily
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Not leaving too early in the morning

Drinking and driving – avoid consuming alcohol

Where possible, err on the side of caution and avoid drinking and driving.

If you do consume alcohol prior to driving, be responsible and ensure your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) remains well within legal limits (these may vary from State to State, so ensure you are familiar with local laws). The standard guide outlined by police and transport authorities in Queensland, is that men can consume up to two standard drinks in the first hour and one standard drink each hour after that to stay below the legal 0.05 percent BAC.

Women can generally consume no more than one standard drink in the first and subsequent hours to stay below the legal limit.

Drivers who hold either a learner’s permit or a provisional licence and are under 25, as well as bus, truck and taxi drivers, must have a zero BAC when driving.

A standard drink is:

• Five pots (285 ml) of superlight beer (0.9% alcohol)
• Two pots (285 ml) of light beer (2-3% alcohol)
• One pot (285 ml) of full strength beer (4-5% alcohol)
• One 30 ml nip of spirits (37% alcohol)
• One 120ml glass of wine (12% alcohol)
• One 60ml glass of fortified wine (18% alcohol)

Driver fatigue kills

Driver fatigue adversely affects road safety and is a proven killer on Queensland highways.

If you are travelling long distances over extended periods of time, take a 15-minute break after every two hours of driving to rest and revive. Over major holiday periods take advantage of the extensive Driver Reviver network that operates throughout Queensland and interstate. Driver Reviver stops provide free tea or coffee to drivers as an incentive to take a break.

On long trips, setting off in the early hours of the morning may seem like a good idea, however this may be counter-productive to effective road safety if your body still expects to be sleeping.

Part of good driving is recognising that driver fatigue can affect your performance behind the wheel well before you actually feel tired. Signs of fatigue include:

• Yawning, heavy eyes or sweaty hands
• Droning or humming in the ears
• Daydreaming or loss of concentration
• The vehicle wandering on the road
• Unintentional changes in vehicle speed
• Pressure in the head or temples
• Stiffness or cramps

If you recognise the symptoms of driver fatigue and there is not another licensed driver in the vehicle, pull over where it is safe to do so, lock the doors and sleep until you are refreshed.

Make use of permanent roadside rest areas provided by state and local road authorities.