Factors Associated with Fatigued Driving among Australian Truck Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Transportation Safety
• Public Health

Background:

• Fatigued driving is a major cause of road crashes in the trucking industry.
• Prolonged work hours and irregular sleep negatively impact truck drivers' health.
• Limited research exists in Australia on factors influencing truck driver fatigue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate demographic, occupational, lifestyle, and health risk factors associated with fatigue in Australian truck drivers.
• To identify specific determinants contributing to fatigue in this population.
• To inform interventions aimed at reducing driver fatigue.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing online and telephone surveys.
• Collected data on demographics, work, lifestyle, and health risk factors.
• Multivariate regression analysis to assess the impact of various factors on fatigue.

Main Results:

• Drivers working 40-60 hours had nearly three times higher odds of high-risk fatigue compared to those working <40 hours.
• Poor sleep increased the odds of high-risk fatigue sevenfold.
• Loneliness was associated with double the odds of being at high risk of fatigued driving.

Conclusions:

• Increased fatigue risk in truck drivers is linked to extended work hours, inadequate sleep, and social isolation (loneliness).
• Interventions should address work schedules, sleep quality, and social support for drivers.
• Findings highlight the need for a holistic approach to managing truck driver fatigue.