Statement of Significance: The most frequent causes of sleepiness at the wheel (sleep disorders, ie, sleep apnoea, behavioural factors such as sleep deprivation and engagement in shift work) need to be investigated because they are a cause of motor vehicle accidents. Indeed, sleepiness at the wheel is associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents (2.56 [95% CI 1.91; 3.43]). Investigation of sleepiness at the wheel should be systematically added to the classical Epworth Sleepiness Scale to efficiently determine fitness to drive, and it is important to explain the distinction between these two behaviours to physicians and patients. Because it is a major international public health issue, it is important to continue to develop road safety programs to inform drivers about this risk.
Study Objectives: Sleepiness at the wheel is widely believed to be a cause of motor vehicle accidents. Nevertheless, a systematic review of studies investigating this relationship has not yet been published. The objective of this study was to quantify the relationship between sleepiness at the wheel and motor vehicle accidents.
Conclusions: Sleepiness at the wheel increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents and should be considered when investigating fitness to drive. Further studies are required to explore the nature of this relationship.
Citation: Stéphanie Bioulac, Jean-Arthur Micoulaud-Franchi, Mickael Arnaud, Patricia Sagaspe, Nicholas Moore, Francesco Salvo, Pierre Philip; Risk of Motor Vehicle Accidents Related to Sleepiness at the Wheel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Sleep, Volume 41, Issue 7, 1 July 2018, zsy075, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsy075
