Inadequate Sleep as a Risk Factor for Drowsy Driving and Drowsy Working Behaviors

Background. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of mortality for young adults 18 to 24 years of age. Short sleep duration is a proposed risk factor for motor vehicle fatalities and occupational injuries within this age group. The purpose of this study was to determine if drowsy driving and drowsy work behaviors differed according to self-reported sleep duration. Methods. Data were collected from a participant pool of university students. Survey items were derived from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Group differences were analyzed using a series of Mann-Whitney U tests. Sample size was determined using power analysis (α = 0.05, 1-β = 0.80, d = 0.35). Results. Analysis found 45.4% of 261 respondents received less than 7 hours of sleep on average each night, 18.2% reported falling asleep at least one time while driving, and 35.2% reported falling asleep at least one time while working during the previous 30 days. Sleep duration was lower (Mnd=6.00; m place = 111.81) for participants reporting drowsy driving behaviors compared to those with greater sleep duration (Mdn=7.00, m place = 135.32; U=4191.000, p=0.044). Further analysis found sleep duration was lower (Mnd=6.00; m place = 114.45) for participants reporting drowsy working behaviors compared to those with greater sleep duration (Mnd=7.00; m place = 139.71; U=6205.500, p=0.008). Conclusions. Participants obtaining 6 or fewer hours of sleep reported greater drowsy working and driving behaviors. Interventions designed to increase sleep duration in this demographic may reduce motor vehicle and occupational injuries.