Risk Factors For Traffic Accidents Research Articles

An association between dietary habits and traffic accidents in patients with chronic liver disease: A data-mining analysis.

The incidence of traffic accidents in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is high in the USA. However, the characteristics of patients, including dietary habits, differ between Japan and the USA. The present study investigated the incidence of traffic accidents in CLD patients and the clinical profiles associated with traffic accidents in Japan using a data-mining analysis. A cross-sectional study was performed and 256 subjects [148 CLD patients (CLD group) and 106 patients with other digestive diseases (disease control group)] were enrolled; 2 patients were excluded. The incidence of traffic accidents was compared between the two groups. Independent factors for traffic accidents were analyzed using logistic regression and decision-tree analyses. The incidence of traffic accidents did not differ between the CLD and disease control groups (8.8 vs. 11.3%). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that yoghurt consumption was the only independent risk factor for traffic accidents (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.85; P=0.0197). Similarly, the results of the decision-tree analysis showed that yoghurt consumption was the initial divergence variable. In patients who consumed yoghurt habitually, the incidence of traffic accidents was 6.6%, while that in patients who did not consume yoghurt was 16.0%. CLD was not identified as an independent factor in the logistic regression and decision-tree analyses. In conclusion, the difference in the incidence of traffic accidents in Japan between the CLD and disease control groups was insignificant. Furthermore, yoghurt consumption was an independent negative risk factor for traffic accidents in patients with digestive diseases, including CLD.

Cognitive Function Training System Using Game-Based Design for Elderly Drivers

It has been found that age-related decline of cognitive ability is one of risk factors for traffic accidents among the elderly. Therefore, the present study introduced a new game- based cognitive function training system, which was designed by cognitive evaluation theory, gamification, interface design guidelines for driver-assistance systems and fuben-eki principle. It uses a trail making game to train and measure driver’s visual attention ability, and the score was transformed to limit the vehicle’s maximum velocity. Simulator experiments were performed to verify that it enlarged the degree of useful field of view to enhance the hazard perception ability.

Driving habits and risk factors for traffic accidents among sleep apnea patients--a European multi-centre cohort study.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased motor vehicle accident risk, and improved detection of patients at risk is of importance. The present study addresses potential risk factors in the European Sleep Apnea Database and includes patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea [n=8476, age 51.5 (12.5) years, body mass index 31.0 (6.6) kgm(-2) , 82.4% driver's licence holders]. Driving distance (kmyear(-1) ), driver's licence type, sleep apnea severity, sleepiness and comorbidities were assessed. Previously validated risk factors for accident history: Epworth Sleepiness Scale ≥16; habitual sleep time ≤5h; use of hypnotics; and driving ≥15000kmyear(-1) were analysed across European regions. At least one risk factor was identified in male and female drivers, 68.75 and 51.3%, respectively. The occurrence of the risk factors was similar across Europe, with only a lower rate in the eastern region (P=0.001). The mean number of risk factors increased across classes of sleep apnea severity. Frequent driving was prevalent [14.0 (interquartile range 8.0-20.0)×10(3) kmyear(-1) ] and 32.7% of drivers had severe obstructive sleep apnea [apnea-hypopnea index 50.3 (38.8-66.0) nh(-1) ]. Obesity, shorter sleep time and younger age were associated with increased traffic exposure (P≤0.03). In conclusion, the risk factors associated with accident history were common among European patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea, but varied between geographical regions. There was a weak covariation between occurrence of risk factors and clinically determined apnea severity but frequent driving, a strong risk factor for accidents, was over-represented. Systematic evaluation of accident-related risk factors is important to detect sleep apnea patients at risk for motor vehicle accidents.

Maintenance of Wakefulness Test scores and driving performance in sleep disorder patients and controls

ObjectiveSleepiness at the wheel is a risk factor for traffic accidents. Past studies have demonstrated the validity of the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) scores as a predictor of driving impairment in untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but there is limited information on the validity of the maintenance of wakefulness test by MWT in predicting driving impairment in patients with hypersomnias of central origin (narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia). The aim of this study was to compare the MWT scores with driving performance in sleep disorder patients and controls. Methods19 patients suffering from hypersomnias of central origin (9 narcoleptics and 10 idiopathic hypersomnia), 17 OSAS patients and 14 healthy controls performed a MWT (4×40-minute trials) and a 40-minute driving session on a real car driving simulator. Participants were divided into 4 groups defined by their MWT sleep latency scores. The groups were pathological (sleep latency 0–19min), intermediate (20–33min), alert (34–40min) and control (>34min). The main driving performance outcome was the number of inappropriate line crossings (ILCs) during the 40minute drive test. ResultsPatients with pathological MWT sleep latency scores (0–19min) displayed statistically significantly more ILC than patients from the intermediate, alert and control groups (F (3, 46)=7.47, p<0.001). InterpretationPathological sleep latencies on the MWT predicted driving impairment in patients suffering from hypersomnias of central origin as well as in OSAS patients. MWT is an objective measure of daytime sleepiness that appears to be useful in estimating the driving performance in sleepy patients.

Characteristics and risk factors of traffic injuries in Wenzhou part of Ningbo-Taizhou-Wenzhou highway

Objective To study the characteristics and explore risk factors of traffic injuries in Wenzhou part of the Ningbo-Taizhou-Wenzhou (Yong-tai-wen for short) highway during 2005-2009 so as to provide scientific evidence for promoting prevention and cure level of highway traffic injury. Methods The original data of traffic accident in Wenzhou part of the Yong-tai-wen highway during 2005-2009 were collected to carry out the descriptive epidemiological investigation of the injury characteristics.Simultaneously,multi-factor analysis was conducted to screen out the risk factors for traffic accidents. Results A total of 308 traffic accidents involving 603 casualties (157 deaths) were interviewed during 2005-2009.The casualties from expressway traffic accidents declined yearly,but annual death rate was still very high (26.04％).Meanwhile,the males were more likely subjected to traffic injuries than females.The most common injury sites were the head and limb and the main fatal injuries were the head and pelvic injuries.Accident-prone period was from 0:00 to 8:00 in the morning and traffic scenarios were mainly characterized by rear collision (39％).Risk factors for traffic accidents included poor lighting conditions,overloaded vehicles on the road sections,male drivers,driving without a license,fatigue driving and speeding. Conclusions Traffic accidents present high incidence and casualty rates,and are mainly resulted from overloaded and fatigue driving.Therefore,the training and education on safe driving should be done particularly for the males and low driving age drivers to strictly forbid the overload driving,fatigue driving or overspeed driving. Key words: Accidents, traffic; Risk factors; Highway

Amphetamine, cocaine and cannabinoids use among truck drivers on the roads in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Drugs are important risk factors for traffic accidents. In Brazil, truck drivers report using amphetamines to maintain their extensive work schedule and stay awake. These drugs can be obtained without prescription easily on Brazilian roads. The use of these stimulants can result in health problems and can be associated with traffic accidents. There are Brazilian studies that show that drivers use drugs. However, these studies are questionnaire-based and do not always reflect real-life situations. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence of drug use by truck drivers on the roads of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, during 2009. Drivers of large trucks were randomly stopped by police officers on the interstate roads during morning hours. After being informed of the goals of the study, the drivers gave written informed consent before providing a urine sample. In addition, a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic characteristics and health information was administered. Urine samples were screened for amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabinoids by immunoassay and the confirmation was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Of the 488 drivers stopped, 456 (93.4%) provided urine samples, and 9.3% of them (n=42) tested positive for drugs. Amphetamines were the most commonly found (n=26) drug, representing 61.9% of the positive samples. Ten cases tested positive for cocaine (23.8%), and five for cannabinoids (11.9%). All drivers were male with a mean age of 40 ± 10.8 years, and 29.3% of them reported some health problem (diabetes, high blood pressure and/or stress). A high incidence of truck drivers who tested positive for drug use was found, among other reported health problems. Thus, there is an evident need to promote a healthier lifestyle among professional drivers and a need for preventive measures aimed at controlling the use of drugs by truck drivers in Brazil.

Effects of Hands-Free Device Conversation and Operation on Driving Performance

The aim of this study was to examine impacts of cell phone conversation and operation on the driving performance. Ten male students participated in following two experiments: one is to examine the effect of cell phone conversation on driving performance, and the other is to examine the effect of cell phone operation while driving. In the former experiment, the subjects performed No-task and conversation (cognitive tasks) with hands-free (HF) and hand-held (HH) cell phone while driving in city traffic in which the maximum speed limit is 40 km/h. In the latter experiment, they were instructed to operate (dialing or talking) HH and HF such as touch screen, earphone, and voice recognition while driving. We measured driving performance, heart rate, eye tracking, and NASA-TLX. The results were as follows: (1) Regardless of phone type, cell phone conversation while driving increased the drivers' psychophysiological stress and also had negative impacts on the driving performance. (2) Break reaction time in response to pop-up event was significantly slower in operation of both HH and all hands-free kits than in No-task. The results suggest that using all hands-free cell phone while driving is not safer than hand-held cell phone or driving without a cell phone; inattentional blindness itself may be a risk factor for traffic accidents.

Short sleep duration and long spells of driving are associated with the occurrence of Japanese drivers’ rear-end collisions and single-car accidents

Sleepiness and fatigue are important risk factors for traffic accidents. However, the relation between the accident type and lack of sleep as well as spells of driving has not been examined sufficiently. This study aimed to clarify that short sleep duration and long spells of driving are more associated with rear-end collisions and single-car accidents as compared with accidents of other types in cases of people who cause accidents. After removing drunken driving as a cause of accidents, 1772 parties involved in accidents were questioned. The quantities of rear-end collisions and single-car accidents were, respectively, 240 and 293. Logistic regression analysis showed that short nocturnal sleep (<6 h) and 10-min increments of spells of driving were significantly associated not only with rear-end collisions but also with single-car accidents as compared with accidents of other types. Furthermore, younger age (<or=25 years old) and nighttime (21:00-06:00 h) driving were significantly associated with single-car accidents as compared with accidents of other types. To prevent such accidents, countermeasures must be considered in light of the characteristics of drivers involved in each type of accident described above.

Extended Driving Impairs Nocturnal Driving Performances

Though fatigue and sleepiness at the wheel are well-known risk factors for traffic accidents, many drivers combine extended driving and sleep deprivation. Fatigue-related accidents occur mainly at night but there is no experimental data available to determine if the duration of prior driving affects driving performance at night. Participants drove in 3 nocturnal driving sessions (3–5am, 1–5am and 9pm–5am) on open highway. Fourteen young healthy men (mean age [±SD] = 23.4 [±1.7] years) participated Inappropriate line crossings (ILC) in the last hour of driving of each session, sleep variables, self-perceived fatigue and sleepiness were measured. Compared to the short (3–5am) driving session, the incidence rate ratio of inappropriate line crossings increased by 2.6 (95% CI, 1.1 to 6.0; P<.05) for the intermediate (1–5am) driving session and by 4.0 (CI, 1.7 to 9.4; P<.001) for the long (9pm–5am) driving session. Compared to the reference session (9–10pm), the incidence rate ratio of inappropriate line crossings were 6.0 (95% CI, 2.3 to 15.5; P<.001), 15.4 (CI, 4.6 to 51.5; P<.001) and 24.3 (CI, 7.4 to 79.5; P<.001), respectively, for the three different durations of driving. Self-rated fatigue and sleepiness scores were both positively correlated to driving impairment in the intermediate and long duration sessions (P<.05) and increased significantly during the nocturnal driving sessions compared to the reference session (P<.01). At night, extended driving impairs driving performances and therefore should be limited.

Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and driving risk

Sleepiness at the wheel is a major risk factor for traffic accidents. Because of the potential medical and legal implications, in this study, we evaluated the correlation between subjective and objective measures of sleepiness and driving performances in patients suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness. Thirty-eight untreated sleep apnea patients (mean age +/- standard deviation, 51 +/- 9 years; mean apnea-hypopnea index +/- standard deviation, 41 +/- 25), and 14 healthy control subjects (mean age +/- standard deviation, 46 +/- 9 years) were included in the study. Nocturnal polysomnography, mean sleep latency as measured by four 40-minute Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) trials, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, and the number of inappropriate line crossings during a 90-minute real-life driving session were analyzed. The number of inappropriate line crossings correlated with MWT scores (Spearman's Rho: r = -0.339; p < 0.05), Karolinska Sleepiness Scale scores measured at halfway in total driving distance (Rho: r = 0.367; p < 0.01), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Rho: r = 0.389; p < 0.01). We found a significant difference in the number of inappropriate line crossings among the four groups defined by MWT scores (very sleepy [0-19 minutes], sleepy [20-33 minutes], alert [34-40 minutes], and controls) (Kruskal-Wallis test: H = 11.319; p < 0.01). Very sleepy and sleepy patients had more inappropriate line crossings than the control drivers (p < 0.05). In addition to subjective sleepiness scales, the MWT can be used to assess driving ability in untreated sleep apnea patients.

Medico-legal implications of sleep apnoea syndrome: Driving license regulations in Europe

Background Sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS), one of the main medical causes of excessive daytime sleepiness, has been shown to be a risk factor for traffic accidents. Treating SAS results in a normalized rate of traffic accidents. As part of the COST Action B-26, we looked at driving license regulations, and especially at its medical aspects in the European region. Methods We obtained data from Transport Authorities in 25 countries (Austria, AT; Belgium, BE; Czech Republic, CZ; Denmark, DK; Estonia, EE; Finland, FI; France, FR; Germany, DE; Greece, GR; Hungary, HU; Ireland, IE; Italy, IT; Lithuania, LT; Luxembourg, LU; Malta, MT; Netherlands, NL; Norway, EC; Poland, PL; Portugal, PT; Slovakia, SK; Slovenia, SI; Spain, ES; Sweden, SE; Switzerland, CH; United Kingdom, UK). Results Driving license regulations date from 1997 onwards. Excessive daytime sleepiness is mentioned in nine, whereas sleep apnoea syndrome is mentioned in 10 countries. A patient with untreated sleep apnoea is always considered unfit to drive. To recover the driving capacity, seven countries rely on a physician’s medical certificate based on symptom control and compliance with therapy, whereas in two countries it is up to the patient to decide (on his doctor’s advice) to drive again. Only FR requires a normalized electroencephalography (EEG)-based Maintenance of Wakefulness Test for professional drivers. Rare conditions (e.g., narcolepsy) are considered a driving safety risk more frequently than sleep apnoea syndrome. Conclusion Despite the available scientific evidence, most countries in Europe do not include sleep apnoea syndrome or excessive daytime sleepiness among the specific medical conditions to be considered when judging whether or not a person is fit to drive. A unified European Directive seems desirable.

Diseases and Motor Vehicle Fatalities in Finland in 2001 and 2002

Objectives. The possible connection between diseases among drivers and traffic accidents was examined for traffic safety purposes. Methods. We studied medical conditions of drivers and passengers in all motor vehicle crashes with fatalities in Finland in 2001 and 2002 by using reports of road accident investigation teams, including autopsy reports. We analyzed a total of 542 crashes with 640 fatalities. Findings were also compared with available epidemiological data in Finland. Results. An insignificant difference in the number of reported diseases was present between the different parties involved in crashes. However, among killed key drivers, so-called A-parties, psychiatric diseases, especially alcoholism, depression, and unspecific mental disorders, were diagnosed more often than in the groups of other drivers or passengers. In addition, A-parties were reported to more frequently suffer from cerebral arteriosclerosis and arterial hypertension. Conclusions. Drivers' diseases can be a risk factor for traffic accidents. Fitness to drive should therefore be considered in medical practice, particularly in patients with alcoholism and other psychiatric disorders.

Risk factors for traffic accidents in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

A survey of traffic accidents incurred by 440 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome determined the prevalence of traffic accidents in this group. The study also determined the independent risk factors for accidents in these patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome before and after the initiation of continuous positive airway pressure therapy. Before continuous positive airway pressure therapy, 43.4% of the patients had had traffic accidents. The independent risk factors for accidents were higher body mass index, excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent driving and long-distance driving. Accidents occurred most frequently under circumstances of driving at a low speed, as in a traffic jam. The accident rate after continuous positive airway pressure therapy was 5.7%, and significant risk factors were higher age, presence of residual excessive daytime sleepiness, and higher body mass index. We conclude that it would be beneficial to establish a system for detecting unrecognized obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with a view to treatment, in order to reduce the prevalence of traffic accidents. Additionally, it is necessary to check for residual sleepiness after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure, and advice to lose weight is essential.

Self-reported sleepiness while driving as a risk factor for traffic accidents in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and in non-apnoeic snorers

The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a condition causing daytime sleepiness and has been related to an increased risk for traffic accidents. However, the evidence linking severity of OSAS to a higher rate of automobile crashes is based on limited data. The aims of this study were to study the traffic accident rate in the last 5 years in patients referred to our sleep clinic because of clinical suspicion of OSAS and to analyse variables related to an increased risk for traffic accidents. A series of 189 consecutive patients with a driving license referred for a sleep study because of OSAS clinical suspicion and a control group (CG) of 40 hospital staff workers who denied snoring, matched for age and sex with the study population, were studied. Patients underwent a full-night polysomnography and both patients and the CG completed a self-answered questionnaire. One hundred and twenty-two patients were diagnosed as OSAS and 67 patients as non-apnoeic snorers (NAS). The self-reported number of accidents was significantly higher in OSAS patients compared with CG. The self-reported number of times off the road was significantly higher in OSAS patients compared with NAS and with CG. Variables associated with an increased risk for traffic accidents were self-reported sleepiness while driving (OR 5, 95%CI 2·3–10·9), having quit driving because of sleepiness (OR 3, 95%CI 1·1–8·6) and being currently working (OR 2·8, 95%CI 1·1–7·7). We conclude that self-reported sleepiness while driving is associated with an increased risk for traffic accidents in OSAS patients and in NAS. We suggest that this symptom can be used to alert patients and to give priority in the sleep clinic for study and treatment.

The effect of epilepsy on road traffic accidents and casualties

A prospective study was carried out between October 1992 and June 1994 to investigate the effect of epilepsy as a risk factor in road traffic accidents (RTA) and casualties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim of this paper was to investigate the risk and effect of epilepsy on road traffic accidents and casualties and identify possible risk factors for traffic accidents and casualties and identify possible risk factors for traffic accidents and violations among these drivers. Most (70%) were young drivers and under age 40 years; 43% were UAE nationals; 41% had a primary school education; 48.8% had a full license to drive private or commercial taxis; 41% had less than two years driving experience and 17.1% used seat bolts regularly. Most (65.9%) admitted to crossing red traffic lights; 46.3% to parking in forbidden areas; 66% to speeding; 36% to smoking while driving; 34.1% to using the telephone whilst driving; 43.9% to putting their child in the front seat; 20.8% had been previously involved in an RTA; and 53.7% had sustained serious injury. A figure of 34.1% had at least one seizure per year and 26.8% had at least one seizure per month. The most common violations were careless driving (34.1%) and traffic regulation violations (24.4%). Significantly higher risk was observed for property damage (RR = 1.85; 95% CI = 0.64-5.14) and traffic violations (RR-1.91; 95% CI = 0.54-2.29). In the UAE there are no restrictions on the issue of driving licenses to people prone to epileptic seizures. In conclusion, it is emphasized that patients with conditions such as epilepsy should feel obliged to inform the traffic authorities or the health authorities about their condition. It seems likely that the problem could be greatly reduced if appropriate action was taken concerning epileptic drivers. It is hoped that the results and recommendations of this study will be useful to traffic and health authorities.

Epilepsy and traffic safety.

We previously reported that drivers with epilepsy have somewhat higher age-adjusted rates of traffic accidents and moving violations than do drivers without epilepsy. We attempted to identify medical and other factors contributing to this increase. Medical records of 241 drivers with a history of seizures, representing essentially all such persons from a contiguous seven ZIP postal code area served by the Marshfield Clinic were studied. This zip code refers to a defined geographic area around Marshfield where virtually the entire population receives its care at the Marshfield Clinic and for which we have accurate records. Information abstracted from medical charts was used to identify potential risk factors for traffic accidents and violations among these drivers. Careless driving violations, alcohol or drug violations, and accidents (especially injury accidents) occurred at higher rates and speeding violations occurred at lower rates for drivers with epilepsy. Young age, unmarried state, history of multiple seizures, and lack of antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment appear to be risk factors for accidents among drivers who had a history of seizures. Male sex, psychiatric disorders, alcohol abuse, and generalized seizures or complex partial seizures (CPS) were also suggestively associated with higher risk. For moving violations, young age, male sex, unmarried state, symptomatic etiology, and history of alcohol abuse contributed to increased risk. We conclude that drivers with epilepsy appear to have identifiable risk factors for traffic mishaps, especially accidents.

Psychiatric aspects of traffic accidents.

The authors review the literature pertaining to the roles of psychopathology and personality variables in traffic accidents. They review studies of nonpsychiatric and psychiatric samples and examine the roles of suicide, life events, alcohol, and drugs. Certain personality characteristics and psychopathology--such as low tension tolerance, immaturity, personality disorder, and paranoid conditions--appear to be risk factors for traffic accidents. Although the role of alcohol is relatively well established, the roles of most other drugs are less clear. The results of further investigation of psychopathology's role in traffic accidents may have implications for prevention.