Breaching rest requirements: Perceptions of fatigue management by truck drivers and transport managers

Truck driver fatigue (TDF) is regarded as a serious public safety hazard and a leading factor in road crashes in the Australian transport industry. While truck driver rest regimes are enforced in all Australian states, little is known about how drivers and transport managers perceive these requirements and the factors that may support or undermine their use. Applying Ajzen’s (2005) Theory of Planned Behaviour, a qualitative study was conducted to explore drivers and managers attitudes and intentions towards scheduled rest breaks and the influence of workplace norms and other control factors affecting their compliance. Data collected from 44 participants (36 truck drivers and eight managers) found that TDF compliance is limited by: insufficient training and TDF working knowledge; an occupational culture which discourages disclosure of fatigue concerns; and logistics and infrastructure challenges which limit drivers’ ability to obtain recuperative rest and comply with TDF laws. While most truck drivers reported a lack of suitable rest facilities and amenities, women drivers reported additional, gender-specific health and safety risks which affected their rest management. This study presents new findings regarding factors that influence attitudes, intentions and behaviours of truck drivers and managers regarding driver fatigue management and rest compliance. It contributes new knowledge into the extant literature regarding why truck drivers’ breach rest regulations.