RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Road traffic collisions caused by sleepiness in UAE
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p2240
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Mohammed Al-Houqani
A1 Hani Eid
A1 Fikri Abu Zaidan
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2240.abstract
AB Introduction: Road traffic collision RTC is a major health problem in UAE. Sleep as a contributing factor to RTC is not well-studied in the Middle East.Objective: We aimed to study to the proportion of RTC caused by sleep behind the wheel and the factors contributing to sleep related collisions SRC.Methods: All data of hospitalized drivers who were involved in RTC in Al-Ain city were prospectively collected during the period of April 2006-October 2007. Variables studied included, driver's demographic data, time, date, location, mechanism of collision, speed at collision and whether sleepiness was a contributing factor reported by the divers. A direct logistic regression model was performed to define factors related to sleep while driving.Results: 444 drivers (92% males) were involved in RTC's during the study period. Sleepiness of drivers was a contributing factor in 5%. Most of the drivers with SRC (79%) reported to speed 100 Km/hr or more during the collision. Rollover was the most frequent mechanism of SRC (58%). SRC was strongly over-represented during the month of Ramadan (42%), in driving in highway (83%) and in driving during the day time (67%). A logistic regression analysis model has shown that driving during the month of Ramadan (OR = 7.58) and on highways (OR = 3.99) were the most significant independent contributors to increasing the odds of sleep-related collisions.View this table:Logistic regression analysisConclusion: Sleep is an important contributing factor to RTC's in UAE. Drivers should be advised to discontinue driving when feeling sleepy especially during the month of Ramadan.