Phenomenon of fatigue among professional drivers in Poland

Buczaj, Agnieszka; Pecyna, Anna; Krzywicka, Monika; Maruszewska, Agnieszka · 2020 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.26444/aaem/122302

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Summary

This study investigates the prevalence, symptoms, and determinants of fatigue among professional drivers in Poland, addressing the significant safety risks associated with driver exhaustion. Fatigue is identified as a critical occupational hazard that impairs alertness, reaction time, and information processing, thereby increasing the likelihood of road accidents. The research aimed to analyze specific aspects of fatigue, including symptom frequency, critical hours of occurrence, and management strategies, in relation to job seniority, mode of transport, and distance covered. The researchers conducted an anonymous electronic survey in 2018 involving 398 professional drivers engaged in heavy-load truck transport, light commercial vehicle transport, and passenger transport. The questionnaire collected data on demographic characteristics, driving license tenure, job seniority, reported fatigue symptoms, frequency of fatigue, and perceived critical hours. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica software, employing descriptive statistics, ANOVA with post hoc tests, and chi-square tests to determine significant associations between fatigue indicators and driver variables. The results indicated that 89% of respondents reported experiencing fatigue at work, with a median onset after eight hours of driving. The most prevalent symptoms were drowsiness (76%), eye strain (67%), lack of concentration (45%), and lack of energy (44%). Job seniority significantly influenced fatigue experiences; drivers with over ten years of experience reported significantly fewer fatigue symptoms on average compared to those with less than five years or five to ten years of experience. Specifically, symptoms such as drowsiness, lack of concentration, irritability, and eye strain were less frequent among senior drivers. In contrast, the mode of transport and the distance covered per week did not significantly affect the mean number of fatigue symptoms reported. However, the occurrence of specific symptoms like drowsiness and headaches varied by transport mode, with passenger transport drivers reporting lower rates of drowsiness. Regarding critical hours, 68% of drivers identified nighttime as the period of highest fatigue risk. The study concludes that fatigue is a widespread issue among Polish professional drivers, with job seniority being a key factor in the severity and frequency of symptoms. The findings suggest that experienced drivers may develop better coping mechanisms or have different physiological responses to fatigue compared to novices. These results highlight the need for targeted fatigue management strategies, particularly for drivers with shorter job tenures, to mitigate the substantial safety risks posed by impaired driving performance.

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Topics

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• truck driver fatigue
• time on task

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: physiological data