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Fatigue and road safety

Keeping road transport workers safe

Every year, professional drivers are killed or seriously injured in fatigue-related accidents

‘Fatigue Kills!’ was the original slogan for the ITF road transport action week. Its principal objectives were to regulate drivers’ working hours and rest periods, and establish safe resting places with proper facilities.

In many countries, campaign activities have helped unions change laws and improve conditions for their driver members. Read some road safety success stories.

How fatigue affects driving safety

In this age of globalisation, workers’ conditions are getting worse. 

  • As employers cut costs to stay competitive, truck drivers work excessive hours to reach their destination on time
  • Bus deregulation has forced tighter schedules, with less time for rest breaks
  • Taxi deregulation has worsened taxi drivers’ employment conditions in many countries

What can you do to raise awareness about the dangers of fatigue?

All transport workers have a right to safe working conditions and proper rest. Collective action through the union is the best way to make this a reality. Join your union now and find out how you can get involved.

Download and share our checklists:

Find out more about the dangers of sleep apnoea. Download and share the ITF cartoon story: Fatigue kills! Cut working hours now!

Download the Fatigue Kills! logo available in (English,Francais, Deutsch, Espanol,Svenska, Italiano, Portuguese)

All transport workers have a right to safe working conditions. Collective action through the union is the best way to make this a reality. Join your union and find out how you can get involved.

For more information, email us at inlandtransport@itf.org.uk