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Sleepy driving: accidents and injury
Nelson B Powell1, Kenneth B Schechtman, Robert W Riley
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Stanford University Medical School, and the Stanford Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Stanford, California, USA. npowell@ix.netcom.com
Objective:
The study goals were to evaluate the associated risks of driving and to assess predictors of accidents and injury due to sleepiness.
Study Design:
A cross-sectional Internet-linked survey was designed to elicit data on driving habits, sleepiness, accidents, and injuries during the preceding 3 years. Statistical analysis included logistic models with covariate-adjusted P values of <0.01 (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals or limits). Independent accident predictors were sought.
Results:
Responses from 10,870 drivers were evaluated. The mean +/- SD age was 36.9 +/- 13 years; 61% were women and 85% were white. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale overall baseline score was 7.4 +/- 4.2 (for drivers with no accidents) and ranged to 12.7 +/- 7.2 (for drivers with > or = 4 accidents) (P = < 0.0001). Twenty-three percent of all respondents experienced > or = 1 accident. Among respondents who reported > or = 4 accidents, a strong association existed for the most recent accident to include injury (P < 0.0001). Sleep disorders were reported by 22.5% of all respondents, with a significantly higher prevalence (35%, P = 0.002) for drivers who had been involved in > or = 3 accidents.
Conclusion:
Factors of sleepiness were strongly associated with a greater risk of automobile accidents. Predictors were identified that may contribute to accidents and injury when associated with sleepiness and driving.