Safe Journey Management
Road safety doesn't just start the moment you take the wheel; it begins before you even leave your home. Safe Journey Management is the art of proactively managing risks while traveling from one point to another. Remember: "Culture in Traffic Starts with You."
Many drivers fall into a "false sense of security" on roads they have traveled thousands of times. However, road conditions, your fatigue levels, and environmental factors change every single day. Safe Journey Management shatters this false security and replaces it with a professional preparation discipline.
Road safety is not ensured solely by laws or penalties. Real safety begins with the driver's own culture of conducting their own risk analysis. In this blog post, we will address not just the question of "how to get there," but "how to plan your journey safely" using technical data.
1. Pre-Journey: Choose the Safest Mode of Transport
The first question you should ask yourself before setting off on a journey is: "Do I really need to drive?"
Evaluate Alternatives: Traveling by train, plane, or intercity bus is not only more eco-friendly but also significantly safer.
A Statistical Perspective: According to ETSC (European Transport Safety Council) data, a journey by train is 20 times safer than traveling by car.
2. Planning: Mitigate Risks at Home, Not on the Road
Successful journey management leaves no room for surprises.
Determine Your Route and Breaks: Pre-select locations where you will take rest breaks every two hours. Complete your navigation settings before the journey; interacting with a phone while driving increases distraction levels by 400%.
Pay Attention to Medication Use: If you are taking regular medication, always follow the warnings in the patient information leaflet regarding "driving." Some medications can slow your reaction time to the same degree as alcohol consumption.
3. Timing and the Biological Clock
Our bodies have a natural clock, and defying this rhythm can be fatal.
Avoid Risky Hours: WHO (World Health Organization) reports show that a large portion of fatal accidents occur between 00:00 and 06:00. During these hours, the body's reaction capability is at its lowest level.
The Rule: Avoid driving during the hours you would normally be asleep. If necessary, split your journey with an overnight stay.
4. The Invisible Danger: Managing Fatigue
Drowsiness is the most insidious killer in traffic.
Fatigue Competing with Alcohol: Research proves that staying awake for 17-19 hours leads to a cognitive impairment equivalent to a 0.05% blood alcohol level (the legal limit).
The Coffee Nap: When you feel tired, stop at the nearest safe location. Consume two strong caffeinated drinks and then sleep for approximately 15-20 minutes. When the time it takes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream is combined with this short nap, your mind will experience a temporary but effective refreshment. Remember, this is an emergency measure. If you feel truly tired or sleep-deprived, the safest option is to find a place to stay overnight.
5. Road and Weather Conditions: Do Not Defy Nature
Weather conditions determine not only your comfort but also your tires' grip on the asphalt.
Proactive Driving: Failure to adapt speed to road conditions during rainy or windy weather is the root cause of 70% of weather-related accidents.
You are in Control: Do not start your journey without ensuring your seasonal equipment (winter tires, etc.) is ready and your wipers are fully functional.
References
Road Safety Authority (RSA). Safe Journey Management Guidelines. (Standards for safe travel planning and route analysis).
National Safety Council (NSC). Driver Fatigue and Sleepiness at the Wheel. (Guide on Caffeine Nap and fatigue management strategies).
General Directorate of Highways (KGM). (2024). Summary Table of Traffic Accidents and Statistical Bulletins. (Local data regarding adverse weather conditions and speed limit compliance).
ISO 39001:2012. Road Traffic Safety (RTS) Management Systems. (Standards for Road Traffic Safety Management Systems and operational planning principles).
Dawson, D., & Reid, K. (1997). Fatigue, alcohol and performance impairment. Nature Journal. (Scientific research proving that staying awake for 17-19 hours leads to performance impairment equivalent to a 0.05% blood alcohol level).
European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). (2020). PIN Flash Report: The Safety of Railway Passenger Transport in the EU. (Data source indicating that traveling by train is 20 times safer than traveling by car).
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Global Status Report on Road Safety. (Primary global source on the timing of fatal accidents and fatigue-related factors).
Road Safety Authority (RSA). Safe Journey Management Guidelines. (Standards for safe travel planning and route analysis).
National Safety Council (NSC). Driver Fatigue and Sleepiness at the Wheel. (Guide on Caffeine Nap and fatigue management strategies).
General Directorate of Highways (KGM). (2024). Summary Table of Traffic Accidents and Statistical Bulletins. (Local data regarding adverse weather conditions and speed limit compliance).
ISO 39001:2012. Road Traffic Safety (RTS) Management Systems. (Standards for Road Traffic Safety Management Systems and operational planning principles).
Dawson, D., & Reid, K. (1997). Fatigue, alcohol and performance impairment. Nature Journal. (Scientific research proving that staying awake for 17-19 hours leads to performance impairment equivalent to a 0.05% blood alcohol level).
European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). (2020). PIN Flash Report: The Safety of Railway Passenger Transport in the EU. (Data source indicating that traveling by train is 20 times safer than traveling by car).
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Global Status Report on Road Safety. (Primary global source on the timing of fatal accidents and fatigue-related factors).