Work and sleep/rest factors associated with driving while drowsy experiences among long-distance truck drivers

McCartt, Anne T.; Hammer, Mark C.; Fuller, Sandra Z.

Affiliations

¹Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York

Abstract

A roadside survey of long-distance truck drivers in New York State determined the prevalence of sleepiness-related driving and associated job and sleep/rest factors. 25.4% of drivers fell asleep while driving a truck in the past year; 65.7% at least occasionally drove drowsy in the past month. Job and sleep/rest factors associated with these risky behaviors included type of carrier, violating hours-of-service regulations, tight delivery schedules, irregular work/rest schedules, and driving at night. Drivers believed that requiring realistic shipping schedules, education about "dangerous" drowsiness, and advance scheduling information for drivers would be most useful in reducing drowsiness.

Cited By (2)

Year	Entry
1999	Filiatrault DD, Vavrik J, Kuzeljevic B, Cooper PJ. The effect of rest-schedule orientation on sleep quality of commercial drivers. In: 43rd Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). September 20-21, 1999; Barcelon, Spain.329-343.
2002	Filiatrault DD, Vavrik J, Kuzeljevic B, Cooper PJ. The effect of rest-schedule orientation on sleep quality of commercial drivers. Traffic Inj Prev. 2002;3(1):13-18.