The Albanese Government is urging Australians to put road safety first as National Driver Fatigue Week 2026 gets underway from 21-27 February.

This year’s campaign urges motorists to recognise that sleep is the only cure for tiredness.

Alongside speeding and drink and drug driving, fatigue is one of the top killers on our roads, contributing to many of the fatal crashes across Australia.

Comparing driver fatigue to drink driving shows that the cognitive impairment of driving on less than five hours of sleep is equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05.

The risk of fatigue-related deaths increases on regional roads, where long distances and higher speeds are common.

Heavy vehicle drivers are also at greater risk, with data showing fatigue is a leading contributor for truck driver road deaths. 

A 2025 survey undertaken by the NRMA found that 23 per cent of Australian drivers admit to experiencing a micro-sleep behind the wheel. 

Warning signs of fatigue include:

• Frequent yawning or heavy eyelids
• Difficulty remembering the last few kilometres of your drive
• Drifting out of your lane or over rumble strips
• Delayed reactions and loss of concentration.

You can actively reduce driver fatigue by:

• Pulling over in a safe place, stretching your legs and having a power nap
• Making sure you have a good night’s sleep before getting behind the wheel
• Avoiding driving at times when your body would naturally sleep, like late at night or early morning. 

For more information visit https://powernap.org.au. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:

“As someone who represents an electorate that covers more than 30,000 square kilometres, I know how important it is to stay alert on our roads. Not just for yourself, but for all other road users. 

“Staying alert on our roads is staying alive and, just as you wouldn’t drive drunk, you shouldn’t drive tired as driver fatigue is a leading contributer to deaths on our roads.

“National Driver Fatigue Week is not just an awareness campaign, but a call to action for every driver to take a 15-minute power nap if they feel drowsy and stop driving if they cannot stay alert.

“A rest break during your trip can be the difference between arriving safely and never arriving at all.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm:

“Every Australian, whether they’re driving a truck or a motorcycle, should put safety first when they get behind the wheel.

“All drivers have a shared responsibility on our roads, and National Driver Fatigue Week serves as an important reminder to drivers to reflect on their driving behaviour and the importance of managing fatigue. 

“Truckies travel day and night, often on regional and remote roads, and data shows fatigue continues to be a factor when it comes to truck driver road fatalities.

“We’re working closely with industry and our transport community to drive down the road toll – because one death on our roads is one too many.”