Fatigue as a major cause of road accidents

Fatigue related crashes can happen on any trip no matter how long or short or what time of day. Ola requires all drivers to strictly comply with our driver fatigue management policy by taking appropriate breaks and rests at regular periods.

Ola encourages all drivers to review our driver Fatigue Management Policy and to ensure that you recognise early warning signs when driving and know what to do to avoid driving while tired.

In general, drivers should not drive for more than 5.5 hours without taking a 30 minutes rest break. To ensure fatigue is managed and safety ensured, a continuous break of at least 10 hours should be taken where a maximum of 12 – 13 hours of driving has been completed.

It is important for drivers to realise that various factors affect tiredness such as having consumed alcohol the day or night before and having reduced sleeping hours.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s driver fatigue assessment checklist, as adapted by Ola, allows drivers to assess whether they are fit to drive prior to logging on the Ola platform. We encourage all drivers to review the checklist to remind themselves of their safety obligations.