Age and gender comparisons of driving while sleepy: Behaviours and risk perceptions

Obst, Patricia; Armstrong, Kerry; Smith, Simon; Banks, Tamara · 2011 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2011.06.005

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Summary

This study investigates the prevalence of driving while fatigued and compares risk perceptions across different age and gender groups. Motivated by the recognition that fatigue contributes significantly to fatal crashes in Australia and that drivers often continue operating vehicles despite recognizing signs of sleepiness, the research aims to inform road safety strategies. The study specifically examines how frequently drivers engage in this behavior, whether they perceive fatigue as a risk comparable to speeding or drink driving, and how these perceptions vary by demographic factors. The researchers administered a survey to 1,000 randomly selected members of the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, achieving a 31% response rate with 305 participants. The sample included 114 males and 191 females, with ages ranging from 17 to 78 years. Participants reported their past behaviors regarding driving while sleepy, including frequency and instances of "close calls," using Likert scales and forced-choice responses. They also rated the perceived risk of various driving scenarios—such as driving at 4:00 am, driving with specific blood alcohol concentrations, and speeding—on a scale from one to ten. Results indicated that driving while fatigued is widespread, with 77% of participants reporting they had driven while feeling sleepy and 20% doing so frequently. Drivers aged 25–34 reported the highest frequency of continuing to drive after noticing symptoms, while those aged 35–44 were more likely to report having driven while sleepy compared to older drivers. Males were significantly more likely than females to drive after noticing symptoms and to report close calls due to sleepiness. Regarding risk perception, participants rated driving while sleepy as high risk, comparable to driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.05 or speeding by 30 km/h. However, driving at 4:00 am was perceived as only moderate risk. Younger drivers (17–24) perceived driving while sleepy as significantly less risky than older drivers, and females perceived speeding and late-night driving as riskier than males. The findings suggest that while drivers acknowledge the high risk of driving while sleepy, many continue the behavior, particularly young adults and males. The discrepancy between the high perceived risk of general sleepiness and the moderate perceived risk of driving during peak fatigue hours (4:00 am) indicates a need for better education on circadian rhythm impairments. The study concludes that targeted countermeasures are necessary, particularly for young male drivers who exhibit higher frequencies of risky behavior and lower risk perceptions. Future research should explore the specific motivators for this behavior to develop effective interventions.

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Topics

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• sex gender
• shift work driving
• drowsiness
• sleep deprivation
• truck driver fatigue
• drowsiness detection algorithms

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence, physiological data
• Theoretical Contribution: theory or model