Fatigue and poor sleep are associated with driving risk among Korean occupational drivers

Background: Occupational drivers are vulnerable to traffic incidents. Although modifiable factors should be emphasized when developing preventive interventions, there is a lack of knowledge concerning how fatigue, sleep, and health status are associated with driving risk in occupational drivers. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the associations between driving risk indices with fatigue and sleep-related characteristics in Korean occupational drivers. Methods: Participants were recruited from commercial vehicle companies specializing in trucks, construction vehicles, taxis, or buses (N = 161). A structured questionnaire consisted of Korean versions of the (1) Traffic Accident Risk Index; (2) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; (3) Epworth Sleepiness Scale; and (4) Short Form-12, version 2. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 24. Results: Participants’ mean age was 53.03 (SD = 9.42) years. Working as bus drivers, high perceived fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and poor mental health status were associated with higher traffic accident risk index scores (all p-values < .05). Different factors associated with each risky driving behavior. Working for longer than 12 h per day and excessive daytime sleepiness were associated with consistent risky driving (both p-values < .05). High perceived fatigue, normal daytime sleepiness, and poor mental health status were associated with not wearing a seatbelt (all p-values = .01). Current smoking habit and alcohol usage were associated with speeding, while poor sleep quality was associated with a car crash occurred within the past year (all p-values ≤ .01). Conclusions: Comprehensive assessments should integrate multidimensional interventions including fatigue reduction, sleep management, and promoting efforts to foster physical and mental health for occupational drivers. Vehicle-related organizations need to develop both individual and systemic support through internal regulations and public policies to prevent the modifiable factors of driving risk.