‘Sleeping at the Wheel’ Rather than Excessive Daytime Sleepiness or Alcohol Use Increases Risk of Vehicular Accidents: A Study of Prevalence and Determinants
- 17.02.2026
- Original Article
- Verfasst von
- Esther Lalringzo
- Vishal Dhiman
- Ravi Gupta
- Ashish Ramesh Bhute
- Bhaskar Sarkar
- Aniruddha Basu
- Manisha Naithani
- Erschienen in
- Sleep and Vigilance
Abstract
Purpose
The present study was planned to find association between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and sleepiness at the wheel (SAW) and road traffic accidents.
Method
Adult participants presenting with road traffic accidents, irrespective of the type of vehicle, attending the emergency room were approached. Their medical history, addiction history, driving history, vehicle-related information was noted. Experiencing SAW at the time of the accident was asked . Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Blood and urine examination was done for measuring addictive substances.
Results
This study included 383 participants. The average age of the participants was 31.41 ± 9.76 years, and 89.6% were males. Most were non-professional drivers and driving two-wheelers. EDS was reported by 21.67% of participants, and 20.62% reported SAW just before the accident. . Those with SAW met accidents later in day and when environmental light was insufficient compared to other groups. The shortest duration of nighttime sleep was reported by the EDS + SAW subgroup, followed by the SAW and EDS subgroups. There was no association between ESD and SAW. The use of addictive substances was neither associated with EDS nor with SAW. In the multivariate analysis, SAW was associated with duration of sleep prior to accident and self-awareness of fatigue and sleepiness. Newer vehicle, history of traffic accident in the past and environmental factors e.g., rain increased odds for accidents related to SAW.
Conclusion
A significant proportion of non-professional two-wheeler drivers suffer from SAW, which results in accidents. Shorter duration of sleep prior to accident increased risk for SAW. These drivers could identify experience of sleepiness before the accident themselves.
Anzeige
- Titel
- ‘Sleeping at the Wheel’ Rather than Excessive Daytime Sleepiness or Alcohol Use Increases Risk of Vehicular Accidents: A Study of Prevalence and Determinants
- Verfasst von
-
Esther Lalringzo
Vishal Dhiman
Ravi Gupta
Ashish Ramesh Bhute
Bhaskar Sarkar
Aniruddha Basu
Manisha Naithani
- Publikationsdatum
- 17.02.2026
- Verlag
- Springer Nature Singapore
- Erschienen in
-
Sleep and Vigilance
Elektronische ISSN: 2510-2265 - DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s41782-026-00337-x
Dieser Inhalt ist nur sichtbar, wenn du eingeloggt bist und die entsprechende Berechtigung hast.
Dieser Inhalt ist nur sichtbar, wenn du eingeloggt bist und die entsprechende Berechtigung hast.
