Motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in a crash on a weekend than on a weekday. Between 2000-04, 49% of all motorcycle crashes and 55% of all fatal crashes occurred on a weekend. One third of the fatal weekend crashes were single vehicle crashes.

The following graph compares the pattern of crashes on weekends and weekdays. The majority of single vehicle crashes occur on weekends, where as collisions with other vehicles are more likely to occur during the week and be due to the other driver. .

Driver fatigue is recognised as a major contributor to the NSW road toll, but the role of fatigue in motorcycle crashes has not been established. There is some ground for concern that as a result, the numbers of crashes involving rider fatigue are underestimated and riders are not sufficiently warned of the risks they take.

In the five years 2000-04, only 645 motorcycle crashes in NSW were classified as fatigue related. These crashes resulted in the deaths of 27 motorcyclists and 607 injured. Over all fatigue was associated with 6% of all motorcyle crashes but 9% of all fatal motorcycle crashes. This compares with 7% of all vehicle crashes but 17% of all fatal crashes.

Rider survey data shows that large numbers of motorcycles are on the road across the weekend and that distances covered are often large. The concentration of single vehicle crashes on weekends (39%) may indicate fatigue as a factor in those crashes.

The criteria used by police to determine whether fatigue was a factor in a crash, describe fatigue as it affects drivers, which is quite different to the symptoms of fatigue in riders. RTA Definition of fatigue

Whereas a fatigued driver may drift across the road in a micro-sleep, a fatigued rider may be quite alert but crash on a curve or while overtaking due to an error of judgment. It may be that some motorcycle crashes that are assumed to be due to excessive speed, may in fact be the result of poor judgment and loss of attention due to fatigue.

Driver fatigue is a general term commonly used to describe the experience of being "sleepy", "tired" or "exhausted". Fatigue is both a physiological and a psychological experience. Driver fatigue can severely impair judgment and is particularly dangerous because one of the symptoms is decreased ability to judge our own level of tiredness. A range of typical symptoms are described by the RTA [RTA, Fatigue: Fatigue Problem Definition and Countermeasures Summary, 2001].
They include:

• loss of concentration
• drowsiness, yawning
• slow reactions
• sore or tired eyes
• boredom
• feeling irritable and restless
• making fewer and larger steering corrections
• missing road signs
• having difficulty in staying in the lane
• having microsleeps.

Driver reviver programs focus on the value of encouraging drivers to stop for a break and revive every two hours, but this may be a less appropriate countermeasure for motorcyclists.

The two hour time frame is based on fatigue as it affects a driver. Motorcyclist are unlikely to ride for more than about two hours without a break because they will run out of fuel. This does not mean that motorcyclists do not suffer from fatigue, merely that the causes, symptoms and time frames may be different.

Riding a motorcycle is far more physically and mentally demanding than driving a car. Rider fatigue is more likely to be a response to physical exhaustion than to monotony. Other factors include dehydration and exposure to the weather (heat, cold, wind noise and buffeting etc). The symptoms of rider fatigue include:

• joint and muscle stiffness
• pain or weakness in hands and feet
• loss of concentration
• slow or impaired judgment and reactions.

What can you do to avoid fatigue?

Strategies and exercises to help maintain circulation and keep you alert.

• Make regular stops to walk around and stretch. This should be at least every hour and a half (RTA, 2003).
• Set realistic targets for trips. Work out the distance and your estimated speed and then double the time required to allow for rest breaks and to take the pressure off. Enjoy the ride.
• Drink lots of water. Dehydration is a serious problem for riders because you are so exposed to sun and wind.
• Avoid coffee and soft drinks, they provide only a short term lift and then leave you more fatigued.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and even small amounts can increase the risk of a fatigue crash.
• Eat light snacks frequently, rather than heavy meals. Digestion takes energy, which is why one feels sleepy after a heavy meal.

• Put your weight on the footpegs and lift your body off the seat.
• Wiggle your toes.
• Shrug and rotate your shoulders.