The risks associated with sleep in young people are more complex than previously thought. According to new research conducted by Murdoch University, interrelated sleep problems can potentially increase the likelihood of accidents on the road and at work.

The study, “Additive interaction of sleep disorders, sleep deprivation, and shift work in relation to road and workplace safety incidents: an approach to causal attribution considering the weight of coincidences,” was published in the journal Sleep Medicine. 

Previous studies have mainly focused on sleep deprivation as the primary cause of road traffic accidents and workplace accidents among young drivers; however, recently published results from the Raine Study have shown that sleep disorders and shift work also have a strong impact on young people. 

The study surveyed 439 young Australians aged 22 years for common sleep disorders such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and restless legs syndrome. Information was also collected on shift work, sleep habits, road accidents, and workplace incidents. 

These factors have been largely overlooked in road safety research among young people. In our study, 16% of respondents reported falling asleep at the wheel, 23% had nearly been involved in a traffic accident due to drowsiness on at least one occasion, and sleep deprivation more than doubled the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel. We also found that the presence of all three sleep-disrupting factors, including sleep disorders, insufficient sleep, and shift work, had a greater impact on drowsiness-related traffic accidents than any of the individual sleep-disrupting factors alone. Our findings suggest that all three sleep-related factors and their interactions should be considered when planning future road safety and workplace safety measures among young people," said study author Dr. Kelly Sansom.