Peak Traffic Season: Why Driver Fatigue Should Be a Key Employer Duty of Care Focus

By Dr Ryan Copeland, Regional Medical Director, Middle East, International SOS

As traffic volumes continue to rise across Dubai and the UAE, particularly along heavily congested commuter corridors, employers face a growing responsibility to address one of the most underestimated workplace risks: driver fatigue. Recent reports of significant congestion on key routes connecting Dubai and Sharjah serve as a timely reminder that many employees are spending longer periods behind the wheel each day. For organisations whose employees drive for work, whether visiting clients, transporting goods, responding to emergencies, or travelling between sites, fatigue can significantly impair performance and increase the likelihood of serious road traffic incidents.

While organisations often focus on vehicle safety, defensive driving, and compliance measures, fatigue management should be viewed as a critical component of any duty of care programme. Unlike mechanical failures, fatigue can be difficult to recognise, yet its effects on concentration, reaction time, decision-making, and situational awareness can be profound.

Fatigue: More Than Just Feeling Tired

Fatigue is a physical and mental state that reduces a person’s ability to perform tasks safely and effectively. It may result from insufficient sleep, long working hours, stress, illness, dehydration, poor nutrition, or prolonged periods spent driving in congested traffic.

Long commutes, early starts, and frequent travel between emirates can contribute to chronic sleep debt, often before employees recognise its impact on performance.

Common warning signs include:

• Frequent yawning or heavy eyelids
• Difficulty concentrating or maintaining attention
• Missing road signs or navigation instructions
• Drifting within a lane
• Delayed reaction times
• Increased irritability or mood changes

Employers should educate both drivers and line managers to recognise these signs before fatigue becomes a serious safety risk.

Building Fatigue Awareness into Journey Risk Management

Driver fatigue should form part of every organisation’s journey risk assessment process. Managers should evaluate not only the distance being travelled but also the employee’s fitness to drive.

Key considerations include:

• Has the employee had adequate sleep in the previous 24 to 48 hours?
• Are they undertaking an early morning or late-night journey?
• Have they worked a prolonged shift before driving?
• Are they feeling unwell or taking medication that may affect alertness?
• Is the journey likely to involve extended periods in heavy traffic?

Organisations should avoid schedules that encourage rushed journeys, excessive driving hours, or inadequate rest. Where practical, virtual meetings, overnight stays, or alternative transport arrangements may offer safer options than long-distance road travel.

Sleep: The Foundation of Driver Safety

Good-quality sleep remains the most effective defence against fatigue.

Most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep each night to maintain alertness, concentration, and decision-making ability. Chronic sleep deprivation can significantly increase the risk of driving-related incidents.

Employers can support healthy sleep habits by encouraging employees to:

• Maintain consistent sleep and wake times
• Create a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment
• Avoid heavy meals close to bedtime
• Limit caffeine intake later in the day
• Reduce screen exposure before sleep
• Seek medical advice for persistent sleep problems, snoring, or suspected sleep apnoea

Hydration and Nutrition Matter

The Gulf climate presents additional challenges for drivers. Even mild dehydration can contribute to headaches, poor concentration, fatigue, and reduced mental performance.

Employees should be encouraged to:

• Drink water regularly throughout the day
• Carry water during journeys
• Increase fluid intake during hot weather or after physical activity
• Limit excessive consumption of energy drinks and highly caffeinated beverages

Nutrition also influences alertness. Heavy meals can contribute to sluggishness, particularly during afternoon driving periods.

To help maintain concentration, drivers should aim for:

• Balanced meals containing lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Healthy snacks such as nuts, yoghurt, or fresh fruit
• Regular meal timing to maintain stable energy levels
• Reduced reliance on sugary snacks that can lead to energy crashes

While caffeine may provide a temporary boost, it should never be viewed as a substitute for adequate sleep.

Practical Steps During Peak Traffic Periods

As congestion increases, employers should reinforce practical fatigue-mitigation measures:

• Encourage regular breaks during longer journeys
• Rotate driving responsibilities where possible
• Avoid scheduling consecutive high-mileage driving days
• Plan journeys outside peak traffic periods when feasible
• Use telematics and journey management tools to identify excessive driving exposure
• Include fatigue awareness in routine safety briefings

Drivers should also be reminded that opening a window, turning up the music, or consuming caffeine offers only temporary relief. If fatigue develops while driving, the safest option is to stop in a safe location and rest.

A Shared Responsibility

Managing driver fatigue is not solely the responsibility of the individual behind the wheel. It requires a coordinated approach involving employers, managers, occupational health teams, and employees.

By promoting healthy sleep habits, supporting hydration and nutrition, recognising warning signs, and embedding fatigue awareness into journey planning, organisations can significantly reduce fatigue-related driving risks.

As traffic volumes continue to increase during peak periods, companies that proactively address fatigue as part of their duty of care strategy will not only enhance road safety but also protect employee wellbeing, productivity, and organisational resilience. Ultimately, safer and healthier drivers contribute to safer roads for everyone.