Employment and Drowsy Driving: A Survey of American Workers

Abstract

Drowsy driving is a major public health problem in the United States. Employment characteristics affect sleep, yet little is known about relationships between employment variables and drowsy driving. This study examined employment correlates (specifically, hours worked per week and shift work) and rates of self-reported drowsy driving, falling asleep while driving, and traffic crashes due to sleepiness in 1,000 employed adults who completed a telephone survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation. Working > 40 hr per week and shift work were associated with increased risk for drowsy driving (ps ≤ .05). Odds ratios for falling asleep behind the wheel were higher in shift workers with symptoms of insomnia or excessive sleepiness relative to day workers and shift workers without sleep complaints (p ≤ .05).

Notes

^a n = 549.

^b n = 273.

^c n = 162.

^dIn the past year.

^eEver fell asleep while driving.

^fIn the past year, due to drowsiness or falling asleep behind the wheel (of those participants who said they had ever fallen asleep while driving).

^a n = 65.

^b n = 14.

^c n = 51.

^d n = 902.

^eIn past year.

^fEver fell asleep while driving.

^gIn the past year, due to drowsiness or falling asleep behind the wheel (of those participants who said they had ever fallen asleep while driving).