Exploring the effects of lifestyle, sleep factors and driving behaviors on sleep-related road risk: A study of Greek drivers

Purpose: The present study explored the effect of various lifestyle patterns and sleep-related factors on the sleep-related road risk. Sleep-related factors included daytime sleepiness, drowsy driving and quality/quantify of sleep. Methods: A sample of 1366 non-professional drivers aged 19-65 was selected from the broader Athens area of Greece, using stratified random sampling. The questionnaire solicited information on the participants' socio-demographic characteristics, driving background, lifestyle patterns, sleep quality and quantity, daytime sleepiness, drowsy driving behavior and sleep-related road risk. Results: Sleep-related road risk was affected by gender, quantity of night sleep and drowsy driving behavior. Drowsy driving behavior was shown to be related to gender, daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and the lifestyle of "amusement". Daytime sleepiness was correlated with sleep quality and the lifestyles of "amusement" and "sport". Finally, sleep quality and quantity were significantly affected by the lifestyles of "amusement" and "yuppies-workaholic". Conclusion: The current Study has identified a number of risk factors in sleep-related crash risk in the general Population of drivers. By raising public awareness the health and safety community can play an important role in reducing, if not preventing, the consequences of this public health problem. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.