Driver fatigue and distraction are silent killers when out on the roads, and are serious concerns in the mining industry where working long hours and driving vast distances in remote locations are the norm.
Sleepiness behind the wheel can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, and can lead to impaired reaction times, poor judgement, reduced concentration, short-term memory issues, microsleeps or falling asleep altogether. Using mobile phones while driving and other in-car distractions can also contribute to reduced concentration and reaction times.
With the number of fatal accidents attributed to road fatigue each year in Australia, it’s clear that proactive measures are more essential now than ever before in order to prevent accidents and better guarantee safety for mining industry drivers.
This is why major mining companies such as Santos are taking more advanced steps in improving driver safety by implementing Distraction & Fatigue Monitoring Systems (DFMS), which are rapidly becoming a requirement across major national mine sites.
FleetCrew has invested in the new technology and now offers DFMS as an additional mine spec feature when required.
Driver Distraction and Fatigue Monitoring is an advanced technological system that is specially designed to detect signs of driver fatigue and distractions in real-time, using cameras and integrated AI technology to monitor driver behaviour, eye movements, head position, and facial expressions.
The system automatically assesses these inputs to continuously detect signs of drowsiness or distraction. When a risk to driver safety is identified, the system issues immediate alerts to both the driver and the base to help allow for quick corrective action to be taken.
While In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS) monitor both the vehicle and the drivers’ behaviour, they do so without the aid of cameras and AI technology. IVMS records data from a satellite connected vehicle including speed, braking and acceleration, GPS based location, seat belt monitoring, 4WD-engaged monitoring and more. Key fobs can be used to identify individual drivers, allowing for personalised information tracking.
Active fatigue and distraction technology systems aren’t just passive observers: they actively engage with drivers by using audio and visual alerts to help prompt them to refocus on the road. Some systems even offer additional notice features like seat vibrating alerts to further ensure that the driver is aware of potential road fatigue or distraction.
This automated, proactive approach is a far more innovative step in improving driver safety when the driver might not even be aware of it themselves. And in environments like mining where the consequences of inattention can be catastrophic, the ability to provide timely intervention to prevent accidents is essential.
For mining companies in particular, reducing the number of accidents caused by fatigue or distraction doesn’t just protect their drivers but can also significantly lower their operational risks and the potential for liability. The data collected by these systems can also help provide valuable insights into driver behaviour, which in turn allows mining and transport companies to identify trends, proactively address risks, and improve the overall safety of their fleets and drivers.
While IVMS is already needed in many mine spec requirements, Distraction & Fatigue Monitoring Systems are fast becoming the norm on a large number of mine sites and in other industries across Australia.
In particular, the Santos Land Transportation Procedure requires all contractors to equip their vehicles with this technology – including for both light and heavy vehicles operating outside metropolitan or city areas.
As these requirements become more widespread, Driver Fatigue Monitoring Systems will become an important mine spec requirement. While installing, maintaining and updating this new technology can add thousands of dollars to a vehicle set up, hiring DFMS ready vehicles from a specialist 4WD hire company like FleetCrew can reduce your fleet set up costs and remove maintenance and compliance headaches.
If you’re interested in the cost saving benefits of hiring mine spec fleet 4WD vehicles with DFMS or IVMS already installed, reach out to us today.
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