HEALTH AT WORK

Workplace Safety

Driver Fatigue: The Occupational Hazard Behind the Wheel

For delivery drivers, bus operators, long-haul truckers and company chauffeurs, fatigue is an everyday reality that rarely gets the attention it deserves. Unlike a visible injury, tiredness behind the wheel is invisible until it causes a near-miss or a crash. Yet driver fatigue is recognised worldwide as a leading contributor to road traffic incidents, and for many Mauritian businesses whose staff spend hours daily on the road, it is a genuine occupational health and safety issue that deserves proactive management.

Why Driving Is More Tiring Than It Looks

Driving demands sustained visual attention, quick decision-making and constant micro-adjustments, all of which are mentally draining even when the body is sitting still. Long shifts, irregular schedules, early starts, heavy traffic, poor sleep the night before, and monotonous highway stretches all combine to accelerate mental fatigue. Drivers who also work night shifts or split shifts face an even higher risk, as their natural sleep-wake cycle is disrupted, reducing alertness precisely when concentration matters most.

Recognising the Warning Signs

Fatigue rarely announces itself suddenly. Early signs include frequent yawning, heavy eyelids, difficulty remembering the last few kilometres driven, drifting within the lane, and reduced reaction time to hazards. Many drivers underestimate these signals or feel pressured to push through them because of delivery deadlines or client expectations. Employers should actively encourage staff to report fatigue without fear of penalty, since a short delay is always preferable to a preventable incident.

Practical Steps for Employers and Drivers

Organisations that rely on drivers should build fatigue management into their operations rather than leaving it to individual willpower. This includes realistic scheduling with adequate rest breaks, avoiding back-to-back long trips, rotating routes to reduce monotony, and ensuring vehicles are comfortable and well-maintained. Pre-trip fatigue checks, encouraging short naps during breaks, and providing education on the effects of poor sleep and alcohol on driving performance are equally valuable. Drivers themselves can protect their own health by prioritising seven to eight hours of sleep before shifts, staying hydrated, taking a genuine break every two hours, and avoiding heavy meals before driving.

A Shared Responsibility

Managing driver fatigue is not solely the responsibility of the individual behind the wheel; it is a shared duty between employer and employee. Companies that invest in structured rest policies, regular health checks, and open communication about tiredness create safer roads for their staff and the wider public. At Health at Work, we support organisations in developing occupational health programmes tailored to mobile and transport workers, helping protect both productivity and lives on Mauritius’ roads.