Daytime sleepiness and sleep habits as risk factors of traffic accidents in a group of Turkish public transport drivers (original) (raw)
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The relationship between sleep quality and road traffic crashes of urban drivers in Hamadan, Iran
Journal of Injury and Violence Research
Background: Sleep quality is one of the main human factors related to urban road traffic crashes. This study aimed at determining the relationship between sleep quality and road traffic crashes in urban drivers. Methods: This correlational study was conducted in Hamadan, a city located in the western part of Iran. The study samples consisted of 309 Hamadan drivers (i.e., 103 with road traffic crashes (RTCs) and 206 without RTCs), who were referred to police centers to change or renew their driving licenses. The data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire including demographic information and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The questionnaire was filled out in a self-administered manner. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS-16 software and applying logistic regression, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-square test. Results: The comparison of sleep quality scores between two groups, using the adjusted logistic regression test, showed a statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.019). This means that the sleep quality of drivers without RTCs was 1.8 times better than drivers with RTCS (OR=1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.07). Conclusions: There was a significant association between poor sleep quality and the occurrence of RTCs in urban drivers. As a result, it is recommended paying more attention to the sleep quality of urban drivers to prevent and control RTCs.
SLEEP HABITS AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT RISK FOR IRANIAN OCCUPATIONAL DRIVERS
Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the sleep quality and sleep disorders (prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and sleepiness) among occupational drivers in Iran and to determine which demographic factors and occupational habits are linked to road traffic accidents. Material and Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study 556 occupational road drivers from Shahroud city (in the northeast of Iran) participated, upon a prior verbal informed consent, during 2013–2014. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) standard questionnaire that scored on 7 point scale, the 8-item Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire and the 8-question STOP-Bang questionnaire along with demographic information and occupational data were used. To explore the independent factors associated with odds of poor sleep quality and road accident, multiple logistic regression models were used. Results: Prevalence of previous road accidents, sleepiness while driving, and obstructive sleep apnea scored ≥ 3 in the study, and drivers accounted for 23.8%, 29%, and 24.8%, respectively. The global mean score of sleep quality and excessive sleepiness score were 5.2 and 4.8, respectively. The main factors related to the odds of poor sleep quality were snoring (odds ratio (OR) = 2.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–4.77), smoking (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.15–3.97), and driving times in a day (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.03–1.21). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.07–1.23) and suffering from apnea (OR = 4.89; 95% CI: 1.07–23.83) were the best predictors for odds (increased risk) of road accidents. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of Iranian drivers had records of road accidents; poor sleep quality, sleepiness while driving, and sleep disorder breathing (obstructive sleep apnea – OSA). Snoring, smoking, driving time in a day, excessive sleepiness, and presumably apnea increase the odds of poor sleep quality and road traffic accident for Iranian occupational drivers.
Sleep medicine, 2014
We aimed to investigate sleepiness, sleep hygiene, sleep disorders, and driving risk among highway drivers. We collected data using cross-sectional surveys, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire, Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire (BNSQ), and a travel questionnaire; we also obtained sleep data from the past 24 h and information on usual sleep schedules. Police officers invited automobile drivers to participate. There were 3051 drivers (mean age, 46±13 y; 75% men) who completed the survey (80% participation rate). Eighty-seven (2.9%) drivers reported near-miss sleepy accidents (NMSA) during the trip; 8.5% of NMSA occurred during the past year and 2.3% reported sleepiness-related accidents occurring in the past year. Mean driving time was 181±109 min and mean sleep duration in the past 24 h was 480±104 min; mean sleep duration during workweeks was 468±74 min. Significant risk factors for NMSA during the trip were NMSA in the past year, nonrestorative sleep and snori...
Universal Journal of Public Health, 2023
Introduction: Road traffic crashes (RTC) and road traffic injuries (RTI) are major health problems facing taxi drivers. Shorter sleep duration (≤7 hours/day) and sleepiness during driving are two risk factors for RTC and RTI. Aims: Identify the associations between shorter sleep duration and sleepiness during driving a taxi and RTC in taxi drivers. Methods: A cross-sectional design and convenience sampling method were used to recruit a total of 130 taxi drivers in San Francisco (California, United States). Data was collected from taxi drivers via interview, using a structured questionnaire. Results: Based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) total score, 14% of the subjects had abnormal sleepiness (ESS >10). On average, the subjects slept 7 hours daily, with 64% reporting sleeping ≤7 hours/day. About 22% of participants (n=29) reported at least one crash in the prior 12 months while driving their cab, totaling 45 crashes. Factors associated with abnormal sleep (≤7 hours/day) included not taking pain medication ≥1 time/week, not attending a health and safety training session for taxi driving, and not eating five cups of fruits and vegetables each day. Shorter sleep duration, overall fatigue and higher ESS scores were not significantly associated with RTC. Conclusion: Drivers reported abnormal sleep duration. Twenty-two percent of taxi drivers reported at least one crash in the prior 12-months; 11.5% RTI were reported in the prior 12-months. There were no significant bivariate associations between RTC and ESS, and abnormal sleep. There are opportunities to further explore interventions to enhance sleep hygiene in professional drivers. Clinical Relevance: Recognition of sleepiness in professional drivers is an important public health measure. The most important countermeasure to mitigate drowsy driving is to begin a work shift after sleeping more than 7 hours. Frequent rest breaks, drinking coffee, chewing gum, and opening a car window to refresh air are additional evidence-based countermeasures.
The contributing role of sleepiness in highway vehicle accidents
Sleep, 2001
Study objective: To evaluate the contributing role of sleepiness in Italian highway vehicle accidents during the time span 1993-1997. Design: We analyzed separately the hourly distribution of accidents ascribed by police officers univocally to sleepiness and the rest. Patients: N/A ...
Sleepiness, Sleep-disordered Breathing, and Accident Risk Factors in Commercial Vehicle Drivers
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2004
Sleep disordered breathing and excessive sleepiness may be more common in commercial vehicle drivers than the general population. The relative importance of factors causing excessive sleepiness and accidents in this population remains unclear. We measured the prevalence of excessive sleepiness and sleep disordered breathing and assessed accident risk factors in 2342 respondents to a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of 3268 Australian commercial vehicle drivers and another 161 drivers among 244 invited to undergo polysomnography. 59.6% of drivers had sleep disordered breathing and 15.8% had obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. 24% of drivers had excessive sleepiness. Increasing sleepiness was related to an increased accident risk. The sleepiest
Sleep disorders and accidental risk in a large group of regular registered highway drivers
Sleep Medicine, 2010
Objective: Despite convincing evidence regarding the risk of highway accidents due to sleepiness at the wheel, highway drivers still drive while sleepy. Sleep disorders can affect driving skills, but the relative impact of sleep complaints among a large population of highway drivers is still unknown. Methods: Out of 37,648 questionnaires completed by frequent highway users (registered in an electronic payment system), we ran our analyses on 35,004 drivers who responded to all items. The questionnaire previously used in a telephone survey included socio-demographics, driving and sleep disorders items (Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Results: Of all drivers, 16.9% complained of at least one sleep disorder, 5.2% reported obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, 9.3% insomnia, and 0.1% narcolepsy and hypersomnia; 8.9% of drivers reported experiencing at least once each month an episode of sleepiness at the wheel so severe they had to stop driving. One-third of the drivers (31.1%) reported near-miss accidents (50% being sleep-related), 2520 drivers (7.2%) reported a driving accident in the past year, and 146 (5.8%) of these driving accidents were sleep-related. The highest risk of accidents concerned patients suffering from narcolepsy and hypersomnia (odds ratio 3.16, p < .01) or multiple sleep disorders (odds ratio 1.46, p < .001). Other major risk factors were age [18-30 years (OR 1.42, p < .001)] and being unmarried (OR 1.21-fold, p < .01). Conclusions: In regular highway drivers, sleepiness at the wheel or sleep disorders such as hypersomnia and narcolepsy are responsible for traffic accidents independent of age, sex, marital status or socioprofessional categories.
Prevalence of sleep-related accidents among drivers in Saudi Arabia
Annals of Thoracic Medicine, 2014
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of sleepy driving and sleep-related accidents (SRA) varies widely, and no data exist regarding the prevalence of sleepy driving in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the prevalence and predictors of sleepy driving, near-misses, and SRA among drivers in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was developed to assess sleep and driving in detail based on previously published data regarding sleepy driving. The questionnaire included 50 questions addressing socio-demographics, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), driving items, and the Berlin Questionnaire. In total, 1,219 male drivers in public places were interviewed face-to-face. RESULTS: The included drivers had a mean age of 32.4 ± 11.7 years and displayed a mean ESS score of 7.2 ± 3.8. Among these drivers, 33.1% reported at least one near-miss accident caused by sleepiness. Among those who had actual accidents, 11.6% were attributed to sleepiness. In the past six months, drivers reported the following: 25.2% reported falling asleep at least once during, driving and 20.8% had to stop driving at least once because of severe sleepiness. Young age, feeling very sleepy during driving, and having at least one near-miss accident caused by sleepiness in the past six months were the only predictors of accidents. CONCLUSION: Sleepy driving is prevalent among male drivers in Saudi Arabia. Near-miss accidents caused by sleepiness are an important risk factor for car accidents and should be considered as a strong warning signal of future accidents.
PloS one, 2016
Recent research has found evidence of an association between motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) or near miss accidents (NMAs), and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or its main medical cause, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). However, EDS can also be due to non-medical factors, such as sleep debt (SD), which is common among professional truck drivers. On the opposite side, rest breaks and naps are known to protect against accidents. To investigate the association of OSA, SD, EDS, rest breaks and naps, with the occurrence of MVAs and NMAs in a large sample of truck drivers. 949 male truck drivers took part in a cross-sectional medical examination and were asked to complete a questionnaire about sleep and waking habits, risk factors for OSA and EDS. MVAs and NMAs were reported by 34.8% and 9.2% of participants, respectively. MVAs were significantly predicted by OSA (OR = 2.32 CI95% = 1.68-3.20), SD (OR = 1.45 CI95% = 1.29-1.63), EDS (OR = 1.73 CI95% = 1.15-2.61) and prevented by naps (OR = ...