The Hidden Cost of Driver Fatigue: What You Need to Know
For operations managers, driver fatigue is not just about employee well-being, it can mean higher repair costs, insurance claims, and potential legal ramifications. But most importantly, it risks the safety of drivers, passengers, and the public.
Let's explore what driver fatigue really is, how to recognize and assess it, and why technology such as AI-equipped dashcams and driver behavior alerts are key to mitigating the risk of accidents.
What is Fatigue?
According to Cleveland Clinic, fatigue is more than just feeling tired. It’s an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that doesn’t go away with rest, often accompanied by:
- Low energy and lack of motivation
- Irritability and anxiety
- Muscle weakness and tired eyes
- Slower reaction times
Fatigue can arise from various factors such as lifestyle habits, sleep disorders, stress, or even medical conditions.
Crucially, when fatigue sets in, a driver’s decision-making and reaction times drop significantly, increasing the odds of an accident.
The Effects of Fatigue
Driving is cognitively demanding. Whether on a long highway stretch or navigating dense city streets, continuous focus is required to respond to changing conditions (speed, distance to the vehicle ahead, road environment). Mental fatigue will diminish a driver’s:
- Information processing ability (harder to notice hazards).
- Behavioral control (slower reflexes, increased irritability).
- Mood and emotional regulation (tiredness often triggers frustration, impatience, and aggression).
When drivers are fatigued, expecting them to self-report honestly is like expecting a hungover person to enthusiastically volunteer for a marathon, it’s simply unrealistic. When people are irritable, stressed, or cognitively impaired, they’re less likely to judge their own fatigue levels accurately or admit to them.
Recognizing the Signs of Driver Fatigue
Researchers (SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research) have documented the effects of fatigue on driving behavior, including:
- Slower reactions – A fatigued driver’s reflexes are delayed.
- Reduced steering accuracy – Wandering within the lane and overcorrecting are common.
- Irregular speed and headway distances – Sudden speed changes or inconsistent following distances.
- Irritability and frustration – Mood changes that can lead to reckless decisions.
How to Test for Fatigue
One commonly used tool is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which evaluates how likely you are to doze off in different situations. Each situation is scored from 0 to 3, and you have to choose a number for each situation truthfully:
0 = would never doze off (fall asleep)
1 = slight chance of dozing off (falling asleep)
2 = moderate chance of dozing off (falling asleep)
3 = high chance of dozing off (falling asleep)
Click here to download a FREE version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale quiz to test your team.
If a driver consistently scores above 10, it’s a clear indicator that they may be dealing with significant fatigue, it is recommended to consult with a doctor to see if further investigations into an underlying sleep disorder are needed.
Often, drivers do not openly admit they’re tired because they see it as just part of their job. This is exactly why fatigue monitoring and alerts become so crucial.
Tech Solutions to Mitigate Fatigue Risk:
Connected Dashcams
Connected Dashcams with AI Notifications offer a powerful telematics solution that goes beyond traditional camera setups by combining dual HD video, night vision, and in-cabin monitoring.
This approach detects a range of potentially risky driving behaviors, such as cellphone use, smoking, or eating, and sends real-time notifications when events like those occur. These alerts are accompanied by immediate video uploads to a secure cloud, which means managers can quickly review accurate footage without combing through hours of recordings.
If a driver’s repeated behavior suggests fatigue or distraction, this system provides the evidence needed to intervene proactively and prevent incidents before they escalate.
“One of our agents was recently involved in a vehicle accident, and when that happened I immediately got the recording in my email and could open the footage right away. By the time we arrived at the scene, we already knew what had happened,” said Mr. Elizabeth, ICT support at ForenSys Curaço.
GPS Tracking System
GPS Tracking & Driving Behavior reports complement the dashcam technology by scoring drivers on metrics like excessive idling, speeding, and sudden accelerations or stops. Over time, these scores highlight patterns that may indicate deeper issues such as fatigue.
Managers can then make informed decisions, like assigning shorter routes, offering coaching sessions, or readjusting schedules, to foster safer driving habits. This data-driven approach reduces the likelihood of accidents, lowers fuel and maintenance costs, and ultimately enhances overall fleet efficiency and driver well-being.
“We now have a set date for monthly meetings with our operations team and with the help of Axxon’s driver identification tags we can use Axxon’s driving score dashboard to see each of our drivers' behavior on the road,” said Mr. Morsink, Rentokil Initial’s Director.
Why Technology Matters
- 24/7 Monitoring: Fatigue can hit at any time, and technology doesn’t sleep.
- Objective Data: AI-based solutions remove the guesswork, no more relying solely on driver self-reporting or paperwork.
- Proactive Prevention: Real-time alerts help you intervene before a minor issue escalates into a major accident.
- Focused Coaching: Video evidence makes driver coaching sessions more impactful and constructive.
Just remember that fatigue is a silent but dangerous threat to driver safety and operational efficiency. Drivers often just “push through” because it’s part of the job, and won’t always be honest about their state of alertness. As an operations manager, you play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing fatigue risks to protect your workforce and your company’s assets.
Connected dashcams and driving behavior analytics offer a powerful solution against fatigue-related risks, giving you real-time visibility, AI-driven insights, and the tools to coach better driving habits.
Ready to Protect Your Fleet?
If you want to learn more about how our AI-equipped dashcams or our Driving Behavior Tools can help you prevent fatigue-related incidents, get in touch with us.
It’s not just about technology, it’s about ensuring every driver gets home safe at the end of the day.
