Manitoba Public Insurance has launched a campaign to help us deal with driver fatigue, during the busy summer months.

Media Relations Spokesperson Brian Smiley talks about some of the consequences of driving while dealing with fatigue, starting with reduced concentration levels.

"Your ability to keep the vehicle, perhaps in the laneway, is being challenged," he says, "We do know that you may make the wrong decisions, or, quite simply, you are not seeing the road properly, you're falling asleep at the wheel. And we know that when you're falling asleep at the wheel, the potential for fatality, or serious injury, is very, very high."

He points out a recent poll by MPI found half of 800 respondents said they've driven while fatigued, which suggests a couple of explanations.

"Either they're not aware of when they're drowsy, or they choose to ignore it, and the choose to push on," he says, "And we also know that, on average, there are about 83 crashes every year in Manitoba that are tied to some form of driver fatigue. We also know that over a ten year period, seven fatal crashes and hundred of serious injury crashes are directly linked to driver fatigue."

Smiley urges you to be aware of the symptoms of driver fatigue.

"Some of the warning symptoms to watch for are can't stop yawning," he says, "You're having trouble keeping your eyes open, you may have blurred vision, seeing double, you can't remember the last few kilometres you've driven -- those are some of the very obvious symptoms."

Smiley urges you to pull over safely, and rest, if you're tired, or switch drivers if possible.