{"id":155621,"date":"2016-08-24T15:44:42","date_gmt":"2016-08-24T05:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=155621"},"modified":"2020-10-06T17:09:20","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T07:09:20","slug":"micro-sleeps-blamed-for-crashes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2016\/08\/24\/micro-sleeps-blamed-for-crashes\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Micro-Sleeps’ Blamed For Crashes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Take a break and survive the drive … fatigue is a killer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 24, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

The focus on Day 3 of Road Safety Week is fatigue and seatbelts … factors that have been involved in recent road crashes in the South Burnett.<\/p>\n

Officer-in-charge of Kingaroy Police, Senior Sergeant Duane Frank said fatigue was very difficult to control, but tired drivers must stop and rest.<\/p>\n

“If you are planning a long drive, make sure you have plenty of rest the night before, and take a break every two hours,” he said.<\/p>\n

Snr Sgt Frank said police believed believed “micro-sleeps” – where drivers nod off for a few seconds – could explain some recent crashes in the South Burnett where vehicles had left the road and rolled, or smashed into trees.<\/p>\n

He said it had been “sheer luck” that these crashes had not been fatal.<\/p>\n

Snt Sgt Frank emphasised that seat belts save lives if a crash does occur.<\/p>\n

“It is the driver’s responsibility that all passengers are wearing seatbelts,” he said.<\/p>\n

“And children must be restrained in the appropriate restraints.”<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Queensland road toll for 2016 currently stands at 155, with 11 deaths so far in August.<\/strong><\/p>\n