Not enough sleep can be life-threatening

Driver fatigue has been blamed for a dangerous action at a Bay of Plenty railway work site.

A driver crossed a rail bridge at Pongakawa in February last year, without authorisation, while workers were still under the bridge.

No one was injured - and there was no damage to the train or bridge.

But the Transport Accident Investigation Commission found the driver failed to notice warning signs.

The commission has recommended drivers and other shift workers be medically fit for the job, and make lifestyle choices to ensure they get adequate sleep.

It also found the train's systems also failed to apply the brakes automatically, when it failed to stop an automatic stop sign.