Driver Fatigue STOP, REVIVE, SURVIVE

Driver Fatigue STOP, REVIVE, SURVIVE

Driver fatigue accounts for about 20% of road deaths in NSW. Fatigue is particularly dangerous because it affects everyone, no matter how experienced a driver you are.

What is driver fatigue? Fatigue is a term used to describe the feeling of being ‘sleepy’, ‘tired’ or ‘exhausted’. This is your body’s way of telling you that you need to stop and rest or sleep. The best way to avoid driver fatigue is to make sure you have plenty of sleep before you set off. The only way to treat fatigue once you have already started driving is to stop and rest until you are refreshed.

Facts about driver fatigue

Fatigue fact 1 Fatigue is associated with the hours when you would normally be asleep. The risk of having a fatal fatigue crash is four times greater between the hours of 10pm and 6am because this is when your body is programmed to sleep. Your temperature falls and your blood pressure drops so that at night and to some extent during the afternoon, your ability to perform tasks can be severely impaired. This includes your ability to drive. Your circadian rhythms (natural sleep pattern) cause this type of fatigue and there is nothing you can do to stop it. So if you drive at night or early in the morning your risk of driver fatigue is increased.

Fatigue fact 2 The average person needs about eight hours of sleep each night to function normally, teenagers need even more. When you reduce the number of hours you sleep at night you start to accumulate what is called a ‘sleep debt’. The only way to treat your sleep debt is by sleeping.

Fatigue fact 3 Fatigue is caused by how long you have been awake. After being awake for 17 hours the risk of driver fatigue is greatly increased.

Fatigue fact 4 You have a high risk of suffering from fatigue immediately after you wake up, when you still feel groggy. This is called ‘sleep inertia’ and generally lasts between 15 to 30 minutes. Wait until you have overcome sleep inertia before you drive. All these factors will increase your fatigue.

Fatigue fact 5 The risk of fatigue increases with the amount of time you have spent driving. To reduce fatigue you should aim to stop for 15 minutes every two hours. But remember, the only cure for fatigue is a good night’s sleep.

Signs of fatigue

Driver fatigue severely impairs your concentration and judgement; it slows your reaction time. In fact, some of the effects of fatigue are as dangerous as the effects of alcohol on your driving. As you drive, watch for early warning signs of fatigue:

24/03/201613/01/2022

NSW Driving Test Common Mistakes

The officers agree that the big NSW Driving Test Common Mistakes are the small but important things like signalling – either forgetting to indicate or not doing it for long enough and observation – failing to check your mirrors or blind spots. Stop signs can also be troublesome, particularly when it comes to stopping before the line.

Signalling

Don’t just flick your indicator and drive off, you must signal for at a least 5 seconds before leaving a parking space or moving from a kerb. It is also important to signal at the right time because signalling too early, too late or leaving your indicator on can confuse other road users.

Blind spots

Not checking blind spots is another common error. You need to check your blind spots and mirrors when merging, changing lanes and during your manoeuvres. Drivers often forget to check their left hand side blind spot when turning left off wide roads. Think of it this way, if you could fit a car between the kerb and your car, a head check in your blind spot is required before turning left. You never know when something will be travelling up that part of the road. And don’t forget that an observation check is also required to confirm that it is safe to continue before moving off after being stopped at traffic lights.

Stop signs

A common mistake is not stopping at stop signs and just slowly rolling through. You have to stop the whole car behind the line at a stop sign and traffic lights. Stopping behind the line at traffic lights and then creeping forward does not count – you have to stay behind the line. You can move forward at stop signs when the view may be obscured, but only after you’ve come to a complete stop.

Judgement

Another problem is not selecting safe gaps in traffic. It’s a matter of judgement and experience. Sometimes learners will pull out and misjudge the speed of the car coming towards them or, if it’s a truck, you need to take into account that the truck takes longer to stop than a car.

Right turns

Be decisive, learners trying to turn right at lights can take too long to turn – there may be plenty of room but if you hesitate you can get into trouble.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/geared/your_licence/getting_a_licence/the_big_test.html

21/03/201613/01/2022

Learning to drive TURNING

Learning to drive TURNING
Plan your turns early so that you are in the correct part of the road and have
enough time to signal where you want to turn.
LEFT TURNS
You must make a left turn from the left side of the road. When turning:
• Signal left.
• Move close to the left side of the road.
• Keep to the left side of the road you are entering.
• Use a slip lane where one is provided.
When driving on a multi-lane road, you must turn left from the left lane, or from a
lane with a pavement arrow pointing left.
When turning left or right you must give way to any pedestrians
crossing the road into which you are turning.
RIGHT TURNS
When turning right:
• Signal right.
• Move as close to the centre line as possible.
• When turning on a multi-lane road, turn right from the right lane or a lane with
an arrow pointing right. Turn right when it is safe.
• In marked lanes, you must stay in the same lane as you go from one road to another.
• You must give way to pedestrians crossing the road into which you are turning.

Traffic lights
When turning right at traffic lights:
• Enter the intersection as shown in the diagram, unless a sign indicates otherwise
or there is a red right turn arrow displayed.
• Wait until oncoming traffic clears or breaks and then turn safely.
If the lights change to yellow or red while you are in the middle of the
intersection, you are allowed to turn right. You must turn as soon as it is safe to do
so. Be sure your front wheels and car are straight and not blocking the oncoming traffic.

Guide to the driving test

road_users_handbook-english

Book a RTA driving test

20/03/201613/01/2022

GIVE WAY RULES WHERE THERE ARE NO SIGNS NSW Australia

GIVE WAY RULES WHERE THERE ARE NO SIGNS NSW Australia
Some crossroads have no traffic lights or signs. Generally if you’re turning across
another vehicle’s path, you must give way.
When turning at an intersection, you (car A in following diagrams) must give way
to:
• Oncoming vehicles going straight ahead (diagram 1 below).
• Oncoming vehicles turning left (diagram 2 below).
• Any vehicle on your right (diagram 3 over the page).
If you and an oncoming vehicle are turning right at an intersection both cars
should pass in front of each other (diagram 4, over the page).
If other drivers do not give way to you, do not force them or yourself into a
dangerous situation.
You must also give way to any pedestrians at or near the intersection on the road
you are entering.

20/03/201613/01/2022

Seatbelts and child restraints NSW Australia

Seatbelts and child restraints NSW Australia
SEATBELTS
EVERYONE IN A VEHICLE MUST WEAR A SEATBELT
Everyone in a vehicle, the driver and all passengers, must wear a correctly fitted
and adjusted seatbelt when they are available. A passenger must move to a seat
with a seatbelt rather than sit in one without a seatbelt. If the vehicle does not have
seatbelts fitted, passengers must sit in the back if a seat is available. Passengers
under the age of 7 are not permitted to travel in the front seat without a child
restraint or seatbelt, even if the back seat is full.
It is illegal for a learner or provisional licence holder to drive when not wearing
a seatbelt or carry passengers who are not wearing a seatbelt or using a child
restraint. Learner or provisional licence holders cannot carry passengers if there
are not enough seatbelts.

It is illegal to drive with people in the boot or on the vehicle.

CHILD RESTRAINTS
There are legal requirements for children aged under 16 years to use a seat belt or
an approved child restraint. Drivers must ensure children are restrained in devices
suitable for their age and size. Children up to the age of 6 months must be secured
in an approved rearward facing restraint device. From 6 months up to 12 months a
child may be in either an approved rearward or forward facing restraint device.
Children from 12 months up to 4 years must be in an approved forward facing
child restraint. Children under 4 years must not be in the front row of a vehicle
with 2 or more rows of seats.
From 4 years to under 7 years, an approved child restraint or booster seat must be
used. Children from 4 to under 7 years can only sit in the front row of a vehicle
with 2 or more rows, when all other seats are occupied by passengers under 7 years
old.
Approved child restraints must be properly fastened, adjusted and anchored. All
child restraints should be fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Look in your car manual for the location of anchorage points for child restraints.

WHAT TYPE OF CHILD RESTRAINT TO USE
Child restraints are available in a range of styles to suit children of different sizes.
Restraints are available for children up to 32 kg and/or 10 years old. All child
restraints should be professionally fitted by an Authorised Safety Restraint Fitting
Station, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. When purchasing a
child restraint look for the sticker certifying the child restraint meets Australian
Standard AS1754. When a booster seat is used, it must be used with either an
approved lap and sash seatbelt or an approved child safety harness.
SEATBELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS IN TAXIS
Taxi drivers can be fined and given demerit points for every unrestrained passenger
they carry under 16 years of age. Unrestrained passengers aged 16 years and over
travelling in a taxi also receive a fine.
When travelling in taxis, a child under 12 months of age must use a suitable
child restraint. Taxis have anchorage points for your child restraint and some taxi
companies will supply a child restraint if you request one when booking a taxi by
phone. Approved restraints have the Standards Australia label.
EXEMPTIONS
Taxis: Currently, taxi drivers do not have to wear a seatbelt although they are
strongly advised to do so for their own safety.
Medical conditions: In rare circumstances an adult or child may obtain a doctor’s
certificate to say they cannot wear a seatbelt because of a medical condition or
body shape. This certificate must
• be dated and issued on the practitioner’s letterhead
• state the reason for which the exemption is requested
• state the date on which the exemption expires, an exemption should
not exceed one year from the date of the certifcate issued.
This certificate must be carried at all times while travelling unrestrained in a
vehicle, otherwise both driver and passenger will be fined and the driver will get
demerit points.
Reversing: A driver reversing a vehicle does not have to wear a seatbelt.
Tow Trucks: When an appropriate child restraint is not available for use in a tow
truck, a child under 1 year old is allowed to sit on the lap of another passenger
who is not in the front row of seats (if the tow truck has two or more rows of seats).

Seatbelts and child restraints NSW Australia

20/03/201613/01/2022

SPEED CAMERAS NSW Australia

SPEED CAMERAS NSW Australia
Speed camera support enforcement conducted by NSW Police. They are proven
to change driver behaviour and reduce road trauma.
There are four types of speed cameras used in NSW to encourage drivers to
comply with the speed limit – mobile, red-light speed, fixed and point -to point.
All speed cameras are regularly tested to ensure they are measuring speeds
accurately and fine revenue raised from speed cameras goes directly towards
improving road safety.
MOBILE SPEED CAMERAS
Mobile speed cameras are moved around the road network and are used statewide,
on all types of roads, at all times of day. Like police enforcement, the exact
location of mobile speed camera enforcement is unpredictable.
RED-LIGHT SPEED (SAFETY) CAMERAS
Red light speed cameras are capable of detecting both red light and speeding
offences and are used at high risk intersections. They improve safety by reducing
crashes caused by red-light running and speeding
FIXED SPEED CAMERAS
Fixed speed cameras are used at locations with a crash history or that are identified
as high risk – including blackspots, school zones, tunnels and motorways.
POINT-TO-POINT CAMERAS
Point-to-point speed cameras work by calculating a driver’s average speed between
two points. If the average speed is higher than the posted limit, a speeding
infringement may be issued.

20/03/201613/01/2022

SCHOOL BUSES in NSW

SCHOOL BUSES
Be particularly careful when passing stationary buses from 7am–9.30am and 2.30–
5pm. This is when children are travelling to and from school.
SCHOOL BUS LIGHTS
Buses use signs and orange flashing wigwag lights to
warn you that they are picking up or setting down
school children. The lights begin to flash when the bus
stops and the doors are opened. They keep flashing for
about 30 seconds after the doors close and continue
even after the bus moves off. You must not drive past
the bus in the same direction at more than 40 km/h
while the lights are flashing as there may be children
crossing or about to cross the road.
SCHOOL BUS HEADLIGHTS
When buses are dropping off or picking up school children their headlights will
also flash. Be careful when approaching a bus with flashing headlights as there may
be children crossing or about to cross the road.

20/03/201613/01/2022

Basic driving techniques

Basic driving techniques
The key to good driving technique is smoothness, and the
secret to smoothness is good preparation.

DRIVING POSTURE
When you first get a car take the time to adjust the seat and controls to suit your
height and build. Correct driving posture reduces fatigue, improves your control
and allows the safety features of the vehicle to operate effectively.

SEATBELTS
For seatbelts to work effectively they should be adjusted ‘low, flat and firm’.
• Low – placed below your hips to fully secure your body weight.
• Flat – no twists, turns or folds.
• Firm – about every 15 minutes when you drive pull the belt firm to remove any
slack.

AIRBAGS
Airbags are a supplementary restraining system (SRS) designed to be used in
conjunction with seatbelts. To get the most benefit from the driver’s airbag the
steering wheel should be adjusted low, facing the driver’s chest rather than the face.

BRAKING TECHNIQUE
Correct braking is done in two stages, first put light pressure on the brake pedal
and pause (set up the brakes), then progressively apply the necessary braking
pressure (squeeze).
Two-stage braking (set up and squeeze) improves braking effectiveness, reduces
the likelihood of skidding and provides better control.
Harsh or excessive braking pressure may cause skidding and a loss of control,
particularly on wet or gravel roads.

STEERING TECHNIQUE

There are two main steering techniques, ‘push/pull’ and ‘hand over hand’.
Regardless of which method is used some general rules apply:
• Steering must be smooth and progressive.
• Reduce speed before steering and wait until the vehicle begins
to straighten before accelerating.
• When steering keep both hands on the outside of the steering wheel and
thumbs along the rim.

ELECTRONIC DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEMS
ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS)
Antilock braking systems control braking force to prevent the tyres from skidding
under heavy braking or when braking in slippery conditions. Some ABS systems
cause the brake pedal to pulse or shudder when activated and although this may
feel disconcerting, braking effort must be maintained if the situation requires a
quick stop.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS (TCS)
Traction control systems stop the driving wheels spinning by reducing engine
power or temporarily applying the brakes. This allows the car to accelerate
smoothly, even on slippery surfaces.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Electronic stability control detects if a vehicle is not responding correctly to driver
steering input. The system selectively applies the brakes to individual wheels or
changing engine power, ESC helps the driver to maintain their intended direction.

EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST (EBA)
Emergency brake assist detects an emergency brake application. It provides
emergency braking assistance and automatically increases the force being applied
to the brakes to minimise the stopping distance.
It is also known as “Brake Assistto the brakes to minimise the stopping distance. It is also known as “Brake Assist
System” (BAS).

Electronic driver assist systems will not prevent a loss of control
or crash if the physical limits of the vehicle are exceeded.

11/03/201625/03/2016

Camber Driving School Review

Camber Driving School Review

After not being passing my test for 5 times and attending couple of different driving schools, I finally had my driving lesson with Cameron at Camber Driving School today. It was a 2 hour lesson, I was quite nervous but Cameron was very encouraging and calm we went through practising turns and crossing at junctions, parkings. After two hrs we went to rta and then finally i PASSED!!!!
Yayyy I would never have been able to do it without Cameron amazing guidance, he was always calm when I was panicking and gave me confidence in my own judgments.
Thank you so much Cameron.
Cheers
Anum Hammad

29/11/201513/01/2022

DRIVER LICENCES FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS NSW Australia

DRIVER LICENCES FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS NSW

From 16 March 2015, the following licensing rules for temporary visiting drivers from overseas have been removed

The minimum six month waiting period before a temporary overseas visitor can apply for a NSW driver licence
The maximum term of a licence of 12 months
Visiting drivers may now apply for a licence with a 1, 3, 5, or 10 year expiry date.

The Q condition code will still remain on the licence issued to a temporary overseas visitor to indicate that evidence of permanent residency has not been provided.

For more information see Applying for a NSW licence as a temporary overseas visitor.

DRIVER LICENCES FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS