The Impact of Aggressive Behaviour, Sleeping, and Fatigue on Road Traffic Crashes as Comparison between Minibus/Van/Pick-up and Commercial Taxi Drivers

Abstract

Abstract:No study has been conducted to determine the relationship between RTC (road traffic crashes) and depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21), tiredness, fatigues and sleeping. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aggressive driver behaviour, fatigue and sleeping on RTC comparison between commercial taxi and minibus/van/pick-up cars drivers. A cross-sectional study included a representative sample of 2,300 drivers of which 1,786 drivers (77.6%) agreed to participate. The Manchester DBQ (Driver Behaviour Questionnaire) was used to measure the aberrant driving behaviours leading to accidents. The study is based on the measurement using the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21). Participants completed a DASS-21 questionnaire with items related to socio-demographic information, BMI (body mass index), driving experience, fatigue , sleeping, adherence to traffic laws (including speed limits and wearing seat belt), and drivers' driving records. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. In a representative sampling, the age distribution of the participants ranged from 25 to 65 years with the mean age 38.3±10.2 and the mean annual mileage (km) per month was 14,587±1,741 (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference found between both group minibus/van/pick-up and commercial taxi drivers regarding of their age group (p < 0.001), education (p = 0.003), history of accident (p = 0.003), seat belt use (p = 0.022) time of accident (p = 0.005); crossing red light (p < 0.001), excessive speed limits (p = 0.002), BMI group (p = 0.022), physical activity (p = 0.003), annual mileage in km (p < 0.001), number of working days (p = 0.010) and hours (p = 0.030); number of sleeping hours (p = 0.025), CD music listening (p = 0.010), mobile phone use (p = 0.001), soft drinking (p = 0.002) and cigarette smoking habit (p < 0.001). When the history of RTC was assessed, minibus/van/pick-ups were more likely to be involved in accidents compared to commercial taxi drivers and there was a highly statistically significant difference between both groups. Furthermore, minibus/van/pick-up drivers have more sleeping disorders and fatigue severity compared to commercial taxi drivers. This study revealed that minibus/van/pick-up drivers exhibited more depression, anxiety and stress symptoms compared to commercial taxi drivers. DASS-21 variables were found to contribute significantly to the explanation of the RTC involvement rate. Chronic fatigue and acute sleepiness, and overtime or heavy work-load on car drivers significantly increases the risk of a car crash which a car occupant can be injured or killed. Reductions in RTC may be achieved if fewer people drive when they have fatigue or are sleepy or have been deprived of sleep or drive during rush hours.

Aberrant Driving Behaviour, Risk Involvement, and Their Related Factors Among Taxi Drivers

“…In particular, a higher exposure of Iranian taxi drivers and also more hours of driving in urban road traffic influenced aberrant driving behaviours. A potential explanation for this relationship may be the negative influence of factors related to driver’s work-related physical and mental characteristics, such as fatigue, sleepiness, anger, and stress [9,47]. Additionally, heavy traffic, narrow streets, the overall chaotic driving environment in the study area, delays and traffic congestion might increase such mental and physical features.…”

“…Firstly, taxi drivers drive in a work-related context [8]. A small body of studies have investigated an occupational context [6,9], and most of them have examined the driving behaviour among the general driving population. Taxi drivers are mostly males and spend most of their time in urban traffic.…”

Factors associated with different levels of daytime sleepiness among Korean construction drivers: a cross-sectional study

“…For example, sleep deprivation, sleepiness and poor sleep quality was independently associated road accident among truck drivers with obstructive sleep apnea [ 8 ]. Occupational drivers’ sleep health components are uniquely related to not only occupational accidents but also individual health concerns, such as cardiovascular disease [ 9 – 13 ]. Therefore, occupational health care providers must understand the health vulnerability of occupational drivers and develop relevant health management programs.…”

“…In previous studies, an increased risk of traffic accidents is associated with excessive fatigue, other health problems as well as poor sleep, such as insomnia [ 9 , 15 – 17 ]. For example, occupational drivers in the transportation industry have reported poor sleep quality on working days [ 17 ], a higher rate of chronic diseases or obesity than the adult working population [ 18 ], high levels of job stress [ 19 ], underdiagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [ 20 ] and more depressive symptoms [ 21 ].…”

Analysis of driver behavior in Amman using Manchester Driver Behavior Questionnaire

“…Manchester DBQ (Driver Behavior Questionnaire) was used to measure the aberrant driving behaviors leading to accidents [3]. Hence, driver behavior is regarded by researchers as the main contributor to RTAs.…”