The new roadside police test facing drivers
Victorian drivers could soon be facing a new roadside test and new fines under a push by police and safety authorities.
A new device is being developed that scans a driver’s eyes to determine if they are too tired to be behind the wheel.
The technology could put sleepy – potentially dangerous – drivers off the road.
As part of the research, participants were deprived of sleep for up to 32 hours before being tested in a dual-controlled vehicle with a qualified instructor.
“Prior to each drive, we’re going to measure their level of fatigue using a new technology that looks at changes in the pupil,” Associate Professor Clare Anderson from Monash University said.
After conducting the test on one volunteer, the results showed she was unsafe to be on the road.
The state government is considering making fatigue driving a separate offence.
“Around 20 per cent of accidents on our roads have fatigue as a factor,” Road Safety Minister Jaala Pulford said.
“People seem to think alcohol and drugs are the only things that may kill them,” Inspector Tom McGillian added.
“They don’t think that fatigue is so bad.”
The study is being led by VicRoads, with Victoria Police, the Transport Accident Commission and Monash University,
If the research leads to a successful roadside fatigue test, it could be expanded to apply in other critical areas such as airline pilots or train and tram drivers.
“We hope that using these results itself will allow us to actually have a road enforcement tool, very much in the same way that we have a roadside enforcement tool for drugs and alcohol,” Roger Chao from VicRoads said.
Testing will continue this year. The next step will be to invent a roadside testing device.
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