Holiday road safety 1

12/29/24 • 1 min

I talk about this at this time each year but it’s just so important - holiday time
and you may be about to take long road trip with the family. Time to give a little
thought to fatigue as it’s one of the three major killers on our roads – fatigue
related accidents now account for more deaths than those attributed to drink
driving. We now generally work longer hours. As such, fatigue is far more
prevalent so it’s no coincidence that the highest number of fatal crashes occur in
the afternoon peak period on a Friday. The end of the working day is not the time
to head off on that long drive into the country. Statistics show you’re four times
more likely to have a fatal fatigue crash between the hours of 10pm and dawn –
leave the next morning after a good sleep and a hearty breakfast when your
energy levels are high. Carry plenty of water. Share the driving – one hour on -
one hour off and take 15-minute break every two hours. Long distance driving
with the family is all about teamwork - never let your front seat passenger nod off.
Keep the rear seat solely for the sleepers, A talkative front passenger is another
set of eyes. I’m David Berthon

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Previous Episode

Subsidised loans for electric cars get Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry support

I spoke earlier how the Federal Government has announced it is providing $150
million in funding to subsidise loans for electric vehicle purchases. Designed for
workers earning less than $100,000 per year. Surprisingly, the Federal Chamber
of Automotive Industries came out in support of the move despite the fact that EV
sales the world over have slowed and at a time when an increasing numbers of
new and affordable Chinese electric brands and models are entering the
Australian market. I’m not against electric cars, far from it, they offer some
excellent benefits however Chris Bowen’s obsession with subsidizing their
purchase with taxpayer money really irks me – electric car owners don’t pay a
cent for road maintenance whereas petrol or diesel owners contribute 50.6 cents
a litre through fuel excise. Surely it’s time we had a fairer road user charge . I’m
David Berthon

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Next Episode

Holiday road safety 2

Heading off on a long drive over the holiday period. Here’s a few simple tips to
manage fatigue one of the three big killers on our roads. The end of the working
day is certainly not the time to head off on that long drive. Statistics show you’re
four times more likely to have a fatal fatigue crash between the hours of 10pm
and dawn so don’t head off after a hard week at work – the highest number of
fatal crashes occur in the afternoon peak period on a Friday. Head off early
morning after a good sleep and a hearty breakfast when your energy levels are
high. Carry plenty of water. – as well as being well hydrated it also means more
toilet stops along the way. Good posture also lessens fatigue. As a guide, sit
upright - stretch out your left arm so that your palm touches the top of the wheel.
Adjust the seat length accordingly and bring the back of the seat up to give you
good lumbar support. Driving long distances is also hard on the eyes – glare is a
major contributor to fatigue so pull the sun visor down to the horizon and cut out
as much sky as possible. All simple stuff I know but it could well save your life.
I’m David Berthon

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