Fagbemi, O. S. and Pfeffer, Karen (2007) The relationship between chronic sleep deficits and distractions in young adult drivers. Advances in Transportation Studies, Specia . pp. 57-64. ISSN 1824-5463

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	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, distraction, young adult drivers
Subjects:	C Biological Sciences > C800 Psychology C Biological Sciences > C820 Developmental Psychology
Divisions:	College of Social Sciences > Faculty of Health & Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Alison Wilson
Date Deposited:	07 Jan 2011 10:16
Last Modified:	13 Mar 2013 08:52
URI:	http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/3795

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