Driver Fatigue Warning - Waikato - Waikato

Waikato Police are pleading with motorists to plan their journeys these holidays after a crash near Karapiro this morning at 9.00 where a single vehicle left the road after the driver fell asleep at the wheel having travelled through the night.

Acting District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Jeff Penno, said this morning's crash was fatigue related with the driver having left Christchurch at 6pm the evening prior to the crash, 15 hours prior to the incident and crossing on the ferry overnight. "We are so fortunate that there was not significantly more trauma as a result.

The vehicle crossed the centre line while heading north, narrowly missed a south bound vehicle and collided with a hedge and the driver was not injured.” Mr Penno said it does not take much imagination to imagine what other outcomes could have resulted from the circumstances; “it does not bear thinking about”. Summer always sees many families and people travelling long distances on unfamiliar roads to reach summer holiday locations.

The aim for us all, including the police, is to get them there safely.

"So the message for people travelling is to accept journeys will take longer than normal and it is hot travelling this time of the year which means fatigue can creep up on drivers.

Have plenty of rest before you set off to ensure the rest at the other end is enjoyed.

Share the driving, all too often one person in the family always does the driving, but share it with other licensed drivers in your vehicle”. Waikato Police from all branches are out in large numbers on Waikato roads this holiday period.

Police encourage drivers to report driving that could be fatigue related as we can stop the vehicles and ensure everyone is alright.

“We would much rather prevent the crash than attend one.

Fatigued drivers often drive and exhibit behaviours that are commonly associated to drunk drivers; they don’t drive at constant speeds, may drift within or over lanes and follow too closely.

If you have genuine concerns about another driver, please call police on *555 so we can intervene.

It’s about people looking after one another on the roads”.

ENDS

© Scoop Media