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Citation |
Di Milia L. Transp. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 2006; 9(4): 278-285. |
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Affiliation |
Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA (v.dimilia@cqu.edu.au) |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
A structured interview was used to collect data from 1579 passenger vehicle drivers over a 10-week period. Approximately 11% of these drivers were shift workers (SW) who had completed night shift and the balance were non-shift workers (NSW). The mean one-way driving distance was 211 km (SD = 84) and 213 km (SD = 162) for SW and NSW respectively. The majority of SW (76%) did not plan to take a driving break and some intended driving up to 600 km. SW reported taking approximately 6.5 h of sleep the day before the drive compared to NSW who had a full nights sleep. Mean sleepiness ratings based on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) suggested SW were significantly more sleepy (M = 4.64) than NSW (M = 2.98). Approximately 19% of SW were classified with severe sleepiness (KSS [greater-or-equal, slanted] 7) compared to 1% of NSW and this suggested SW had a greater incidence of safety relevant sleepiness. Severe sleepiness has been linked to driving impairments and is therefore, of concern for the safety of the individual and the wider community. |