Driver fatigue issues on State Highway 1 south of Whangarei - within region 1 of New Zealand

Abstract

Fatigue has been a major contributing factor (20% in the last 10 years) to fatal crashes on State Highway 1 south of Whangarei. Whangarei is located 160km north of Auckland in Region 1 of New Zealand. An analysis of fatigue related crashes along the route from Maunu Road to Ross Road were undertaken. Research was undertaken through the analysis of Land Transport New Zealand's Crash Analysis System and a review on literature from New Zealand and other countries on fatigue counter measures. This research sets out to determine driver fatigue issues along the route and provide recommendations for fatigue countermeasures with locations. The crash data was analysed by crash costs versus crash severity for each grouped site. These sites were then prioritised to obtain the locations for fatigue counter measures.