Citation

Howard M, Desai A, Grunstein R, Hukins C, Armstrong J, Joffe D, Swann P, Campbell D, Pierce R. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2003; 7(2): 357-362.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Excessive sleepiness and sleep disordered breathing are recognized motor vehicle accident risk factors in the general population. The relative importance of factors causing excessive sleepiness and accidents amongst transport drivers remains unclear. The prevalence of excessive sleepiness and sleep disordered breathing was measured and potential accident risk factors were assessed in a cross sectional study of 2342 transport drivers and another 161 drivers who underwent polysomnography. Increasing sleepiness was related to an increased accident risk. Those in the highest 5 per cent on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale had an increased risk of an accident and multiple accidents. In the large sample of transport drivers, excessive sleepiness and sleep disordered breathing were common. There was an increased accident risk with increasing sleepiness, antihistamine and narcotic analgesic use. Awareness of the risks of medications and interventions that reduce sleepiness in drivers may help to prevent accidents.