Join the Movement for Safer Driving

Together We Can Make a Difference

At Scouts Victoria, safety is our top priority. That's why we've created this Drowsy Driving Guideline to help all our members stay safe on the road. Drowsy driving is a serious issue that can lead to accidents and even fatalities, and it's up to all of us to do our part to prevent it.

While drowsy driving is primarily caused by insufficient sleep, other factors like stress, medication, and medical conditions such as sleep apnoea can also contribute to fatigue. That's why it's important to plan your journey and take steps to manage fatigue, such as packing earlier in the week and avoiding driving during your normal rest or sleep time.

Remember, traditional in-vehicle countermeasures to combat fatigue are usually ineffective or only provide temporary benefit. The most effective way to prevent drowsy driving is to get sufficient sleep and plan ahead.

If you're driving with others, it's everyone's job to ensure we are safe on the road. We need to empower youth members to speak up if they feel that the driver is tired or may need a power nap. Together, we can keep each other safe.

During the drive, monitor yourself and others for warning signs of fatigue, such as yawning, head snaps, and microsleeps. If you notice any of these signs, take a 10-15 minute break to stretch your legs, have a cup of coffee, or even take a power nap. These countermeasures may provide temporary relief for up to 1-2 hours, but the effects of fatigue will develop again until you have had sufficient sleep.

Whether you're driving to a weekend camp, dropping off youth members, or participating in a major event, it's important to follow these guidelines and stay vigilant on the road. Remember, safety is everyone's responsibility. Let's work together to keep ourselves and each other safe.

This Drowsy Driving Guideline was produced by Scouts Victoria as part of the Towards Zero Challenge 2019/2020 Grant provided by Department of Transport (VicRoads). It's our hope that by following these guidelines, we can all play a part in reducing the number of road accidents caused by driver fatigue.

For more information or suggestions, please contact State Commissioner – Risk and Safety at sc.risk@scoutsvictoria.com.au.

Download our Guidelines here to share with your Unit 

Drowsy Driver Video Resource

We all believe that safety is everyone's responsibility. That's why we've created a video that we encourage all members to watch with their Units. This video covers important topics related to safe driving.

We want everyone in our community to feel empowered to speak up if they ever feel unsafe on the road. By watching this video together and having open discussions about safe driving practices, we can all work together to ensure that our journeys are as safe as possible.

Let's work together to keep our community safe on the road