Aviemore's MFR breakfast DJ Jodie McCluskey backs ‘powerful’ driver fatigue campaign
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Moray Firth Radio (MFR) breakfast DJ Jodie McCluskey is backing a powerful campaign by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland, reminding drivers about the dangers of driver fatigue.
The campaign was not always well received with local A9 dualling campaigner Laura Hansler accusing Transport Scotland of “victim blaming” when it came to casualties on the road – coming just a week after the dualling the road by 2025 was ditched.
The campaign states fatigue is a contributory factor in as many as 25 per cent of all fatal and serious incidents on the A9 between Perth to Inverness and collisions which kill or seriously injure around 50 people every year in Scotland.
Many of the counter measures used by drivers to combat tiredness – like opening a window, turning up the radio or pinching themselves – have been shown to be ineffective.
Instead, the campaign urges drivers to take regular breaks, stop to rest and have a coffee, and plan ahead to avoid driving tired through a marketing campaign on TV, digital, outdoor, radio, PR and social media.
The thought-provoking campaign features a striking close-up of a tired driver’s eye, with the road ahead reflected in it.
After a long blink, the road reappears in the eye, but the car drifts towards the centre of the road as the eye droops further and finally remains closed, resulting in a head-on collision with another car and devastating consequences.
Ms McCluskey, from Aviemore, said: "As a breakfast presenter working early shifts, and a mum with two young children to boot, I’m used to waking up very early, so I try to plan ahead and get an early night to make sure I’m well-rested before my commute to work.
"It's important to know the dangers of getting behind the wheel tired, and to remember it's not enough to roll down your window or turn up the music if your eyes are feeling heavy. Make sure you stop for a rest, have a coffee, and try to plan ahead as much as you can."
Sleep-related collisions are around 50 per cent more likely to result in death or serious injury as they tend to be high-speed impacts.
A two second micro-sleep at 30 mph can result in complete transition from one lane to the next and you will be unable to notice or react to a child stepping out on the road.
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth, said: “Driver fatigue is a serious issue that causes too many serious and fatal road collisions each year. Drivers often experience early signs of feeling tired such as yawning, eyes drooping and head-nodding, and should stop for a rest as soon as it’s safe to do so.
“We’re reminding people to plan their journeys well in advance, ensure they are well-rested before setting out and take regular breaks. It’s simple yet powerful advice which can help save lives on Scotland’s roads.”
