Addressing driver fatigue with technology

Dynes implements driver fatigue cameras across the whole fleet – Moving to the deep south, in a pioneering move, Dynes Transport has implemented driver fatigue cameras across its entire fleet. Dynes also has a dedicated staff resource specifically for managing fatigue, so that we are proactively managing fatigue events. This puts Dynes at the forefront of the industry when it comes to managing driver fatigue. People often think driver fatigue means falling asleep at the wheel. Falling asleep however is an extreme form of fatigue.

Why is fatigue a problem for drivers? — Fatigue is tiredness, weariness or exhaustion. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency states that in 2020, fatigue was a factor in 25 deaths and 113 serious injuries on NZ roads. Naturally, Dynes Transport and every transport business takes driver fatigue seriously. As a business, Dynes is actively looking to increase road safety for all New Zealanders.

As a driver, fatigue can cause several problems including:
• Reducing attentiveness and alertness to dangers
• Slowing your reaction time and decision-making ability
• Poor lane tracking and maintenance of speed
• Decreasing your tolerance for other road users

Being tired can also cause you to drift in and out of sleep without being aware of it. Sleep experts call this microsleep. If this happens while driving, it can, unfortunately, cost someone their life. Driver facing cameras can help identify the early signs of driver fatigue before instances of microsleep occur.

Dynes has implemented driver-facing cameras to track fatigue — By implementing driver-facing cameras that track driver fatigue, we hope to help reduce the risks of driver fatigue on the road. These specialist cameras are mounted on the dash, giving a full view of the drivers face and head, but don’t impede their view of the road. We also have a dedicated resource managing incidents of driver fatigue, should any notifications come through, he’s on the ground reacting to these events.

In addition to the technology implemented in their trucks, Dynes have now added a Peoples Safety Council with our old friend Wiremu Edmonds as chair.

The Peoples Safety Council – This council provides us with the opportunity to make meaningful safety changes. The Peoples Council is made up of workers who represent staff from various regions across the country. It is independently chaired by Wiremu Edmonds and meetings are held quarterly. The Peoples Safety Council empowers our people to take charge, have a voice, raise their safety concerns, and make meaningful change through safety action plans.

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