Factors associated with self-reported driver sleepiness and incidents in city bus drivers

Abstract

Driver fatigue has received increased attention during recent years and is now considered to be a major contributor to approximately 15–30% of all crashes. However, little is known about fatigue in city bus drivers. It is hypothesized that city bus drivers suffer from sleepiness, which is due to a combination of working conditions, lack of health and reduced sleep quantity and quality. The overall aim with the current study is to investigate if severe driver sleepiness, as indicated by subjective reports of having to fight sleep while driving, is a problem for city based bus drivers in Sweden and if so, to identify the determinants related to working conditions, health and sleep which contribute towards this. The results indicate that driver sleepiness is a problem for city bus drivers, with 19% having to fight to stay awake while driving the bus 2–3 times each week or more and nearly half experiencing this at least 2–4 times per month. In conclusion, severe sleepiness, as indicated by having to fight sleep during driving, was common among the city bus drivers. Severe sleepiness correlated with fatigue related safety risks, such as near crashes.

Daytime Sleepiness Among Young Adult Omani Car Drivers

“…23 In a similar study, Anund et al found that 19% of bus drivers in Sweden experienced severe sleepiness, to the point that the affected individual had to fight to stay awake while driving at least two or three times per week. 24 The BQ is a useful tool to screen for OSAS and has been used in previous epidemiological research targeting the Omani population. 20 Young et al previously demonstrated that individuals with OSAS are at greater risk of having car crashes due to the symptoms of daytime sleepiness associated with the disorder.…”

A UK survey of driving behaviour, fatigue, risk taking and road traffic accidents

“…4 Driver fatigue is now considered to be a major contributor to 15-30% of all crashes. [4][5][6][7][8] Inappropriate driving behaviour (DB) (eg, speeding) is often dealt with by sanctions and/or by attendance at appropriate training courses. 9 A major problem with much of the research is that factors are often studied in isolation whereas it is clear that a multivariate approach is essential.…”

Factores asociados a somnolencia diurna en conductores de transporte público de Lima Metropolitana

“…Las características sociodemográficas de los participantes de los diversos estudios relacionados con la presente investigación no pueden ser contrastadas, debido a que cada una de las características poblacionales en análisis son propias, solo se mencionarán las características más resaltantes halladas en cada uno de los estudios, por ejemplo, los estudios de Anund et al (20) , Muñoz Escobar (17) , Deza et al (14) , Intriago Alvarez (19) y Suarez Molina (15) concuerdan en que la mayoría de los conductores que participaron en cada uno de los estudios presentaban sobrepeso u obesidad. Al respecto, se puede mencionar que estos problemas nutricionales, podría deberse al sedentarismo que los conductores experimentan durante toda su actividad laboral, sin opción de realizar algún tipo de ejercicio físico, puesto que esta actividad demanda de una gran concentración por parte del conductor.…”