Sleep-deprived and behind the wheel: Exploring the impact of sleep patterns on new parents' driving behavior

New parents commonly experience sustained sleep disruption in the postpartum period, yet their road-safety risk remains under-examined. This study investigated sleep patterns, the prevalence of fatigued driving, risk awareness, and fatigue-management strategies among Australian parents with at least one child under 12 months.

A cross-sectional design using an online survey was conducted using Qualtrics. Measures included sleep quantity and quality (modified Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), frequency and symptoms of fatigued driving, self-reported driving behavior (Driver Behavior Questionnaire), comparative risk awareness, and use of behavioral and technological fatigue-mitigation strategies.

Among the 1,160 responses included in the analysis, participants reported substantial sleep disruption, averaging six hours of sleep per night with generally poor sleep quality. Over 90% reported driving while fatigued at least once in the past 30 days. Common self-observed symptoms included poor concentration, tired eyes, increased blinking, and an increased likelihood of driving errors. Participants who reported fatigued driving also reported significantly higher levels of aberrant driving behaviors (Aggressive Violations: t(1015) = -2.59, p = 0.01; Violations: t(1015) = -4.71, p < 0.001; Lapses: t(1015) = -6.23, p < 0.001; Errors: t(103) = -7.17, p < 0.001). Fatigued driving was reported more frequently than speeding, mobile phone use, or alcohol- and drug-impaired driving. Fatigue management relied primarily on short-term behavioral strategies such as caffeine intake and in-vehicle stimulation, while uptake and perceived effectiveness of fatigue-detection technologies were limited.

New parents experience pronounced sleep disruption and frequently engage in fatigued driving associated with higher crash-risk behaviors. These findings highlight the need for greater attention to fatigue-related driving risk during early parenthood.

Targeted road-safety messaging, healthcare-provider advice, supportive workplace policies, and clearer communication about fatigue-detection technologies may reduce fatigue-related driving risk during early parenthood.