SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Fagbemi OS, Pfeffer K. Adv. Transp. Stud. 2007; (SI 1): 57-64.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Arcane Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study reports the relationship between chronic sleep deficits and distractions on driving mistakes in university undergraduates (age 19-23 years). All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their sleeping habits and to drive a fixed-base driving simulator housed in a Fiat Cinquencento. Drivers were distracted either by being asked to read a map, operate a radio, take a drink, open a sweet wrapper or discuss with the experimenter (on a mobile phone during the drive).The results showed that drivers had more speed limit exceedances and more road edge excursions when distracted. There was also a significant difference in speed exceedances between participants who had sufficient sleep and those that had a chronic sleep debt. Significant positive correlations were found between speed exceedance and obtaining too little sleep, and between feeling uncomfortable during the day in the distracted drivers. There was also a significant negative correlation between speed exceedances and actual hours of sleep. Even when not distracted, a positive correlation existed between the number of collisions and difficulty in waking up. The results of this study indicate that young drivers with chronic sleep deficits are more likely to make driving errors when distracted.

Keywords – Chronic sleep deficit, driver distraction, young adult drivers

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print