Brian O'Shea
Question:640 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport his proposal to deal with driver tiredness (details supplied). [15902/03]
Written Answers. - Road Safety.
In accordance with the medical standards for driving set out in EU directives which are transposed into national law in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 1999, the medical examination as to general physical and mental fitness takes account of the susceptibility of the person concerned to fatigue such that such person's ability to operate the controls of the vehicle might be seriously impaired. In addition, certification of fitness to drive may be specifically curtailed in certain instances such as where the person suffers from prescribed illnesses or disabilities or if using medications which would have an adverse effect on driving. In many of these instances fatigue might be an attendant factor.
The question bank for the driver theory test includes questions regarding fatigue so that learner drivers are aware before they commence driving of the dangers of driving while fatigued. The National Safety Council, which has been mandated with responsibility for promotional and educational initiatives relating to road safety, has run a special promotion called "Driver Reviver". This campaign was launched at Easter weekend 2002 to address the problem of driver fatigue.