Legal – Driver Fatigue Management Policy

Driver Fatigue Management Policy

This Driver Fatigue Management Policy (this Policy) is intended to serve as a guide to users of the DiDi Mobility (Australia) Pty Ltd ACN 623 144 963 in Australia and/or DiDi Mobility (New Zealand) Limited (company number 8037474) in New Zealand (individually and collectively (as applicable) DiDi) app and platform (DiDi App) regarding driver fatigue management.

Policy Objective

We are committed to safety.

This Policy aims to ensure that drivers are fit to drive while undertaking a passenger transportation service for passengers, and delivery service (of packages) for users, using the DiDi App.

As part of DiDi’s commitment to safety and fatigue management, drivers may be temporarily locked out of the DiDi Driver App after long periods of online activity on DiDi App (to be determined by DiDi acting reasonably and having regard to any relevant NZ road safety regulations).

By accepting the terms of registration with DiDi, you agree to comply with this Policy; any additional reasonable safety instructions, and any other safety policy and/or procedure adopted by DiDi.

Fatigue

What is fatigue?

Fatigue means a gradual loss of alertness that leads to occasional microsleeps (or ‘nodding off’) and then sleep. Driver fatigue can be caused by too little sleep, driving when you would normally be asleep, or remaining awake and driving for extended periods of time.

The effects of driver fatigue include:

  • slowed reactions and decisions;
  • decreased tolerance for other road users;
  • poor lane tracking and maintenance of speed; and
  • decreased alertness.

Danger Signs

Danger signs that you are suffering from driver fatigue include:

  • wandering thoughts;
  • missing a gear, road sign or exit;
  • slowing unintentionally;
  • braking too late;
  • excessive yawning;
  • blinking more than usual or sore eyes;
  • difficulty keeping your head up; and
  • noticing your eyes closing involuntarily.

Fatigue Management 

Driver fatigue is a significant safety hazard to you, your passengers and other road users.

Fatigue reduces attentiveness and alertness to dangers, slows reaction times and can lead to microsleeps – factors contributing to the risk of a road crash. To mitigate against this risk, you should avoid driving tired.

The risks associated with fatigue are best managed before you start driving by ensuring you regularly get enough sleep and avoid driving for lengthy periods of time or following a full day’s work.

The risks associated with fatigue are best managed when you are driving by:

  • taking regular breaks – we recommend taking a break of at least 10 minutes every two hours to avoid driver fatigue;
  • avoiding alcohol – DiDi has a zero tolerance policy towards alcohol consumption which requires drivers to maintain a blood alcohol concentration of 0.00 at all times while providing passenger transportation services and/or delivery of packages services using the DiDi App;
  • avoiding medications that cause drowsiness – find out if any medication you are taking may induce fatigue or affect your driving;
  • avoiding driving when sleep deprived – we recommend that you do not drive after being awake for more than 15 hours; and
  • being aware of the risks – you should familiarise yourself with the danger signs of fatigue and stop driving immediately if you notice that you are suffering from fatigue.

Additional Requirements for New Zealand Drivers

The Land Transport Act 1998 (NZ) and the Land Transport Rule: Work Time and Logbooks 2007 (NZ) contain a number of fatigue management provisions and requirements that drivers must familiarise themselves with.  Set out below is a summary of the basic requirements of NZ’slegislation.  Please note this summary is a non-exhaustive list which is intended to be a guide only. New Zealand based drivers must familiarise themselves with and abide by the Work Time rules including rules on rest breaks. Similarly, while there may be slightly different rules for drivers of packaged goods, all drivers must observe and abide by the Logbook rules. For further information please contact the New Zealand Transport Agency or read further at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/commercial-safety/work-time-and-logbook-requirements/

Basic Requirements for Drivers in New Zealand

  • In any cumulative work day [1], as a driver (whether providing passenger transportation services or delivery services) you:
    • may not exceed 13 hours of work time [2]; and
    • must have at least 10 hours of continuous rest time [3].
  • If, as a driver, you are providing passenger transportation services and are only taking short fares (where the distance for a single fare is less than 100km) around a city or town, you must take a rest break [4] after seven (7) hours of continuous work time [2].
  • If, as a driver, you are providing passenger transportation services and are taking longer fares (100km or more), or you are providing delivery services, you must take a rest break [4] after five and a half hours (5.5) of continuous work time [2].
  • You (whether providing passenger transportation services or delivery services) may not exceed 70 hours of work during a cumulative work period [5].

The words highlighted in bold and italics above are defined further below:

[1] cumulative work day means a period:

  • during which work occurs; and
  • that does not exceed 24 hours and begins after a continuous period of rest time of at least 10 hours.

[2] work time for a driver of a passenger transportation service includes times spent on a small passenger vehicle stand, and cruising for hire and carrying out administrative work.

[3] rest time means all time that:

  • is not work time [2]; and
  • is at least 30 minutes in duration; and
  • is not spent in a moving vehicle associated with work.

[4] rest break means a period of rest time [3] taken within a cumulative work day.

[5] cumulative work period means a set of cumulative work days between a continuous period of rest time of at least 24 hours.

If you fail to follow these rules you can be fined up to NZ$2,000 and disqualified from driving.

DiDi may from time to time revise and update this Policy. This Policy is published on our website and is available in our mobile applications. We encourage you to review this Policy regularly to ensure you are familiar with the current version.

 

Last update: February 2021