Lower Sleep Durations Increase Risks for Young Adults During Work and Driving

Recent research highlights that insufficient sleep and sleep-related disorders significantly elevate the risk of accidents and injuries among young adults, particularly during work and driving activities. A study conducted by Murdoch University analyzed 439 young Australian adults aged 22, focusing on common sleep issues such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome, alongside their sleep habits, shift work, and incident reports.

Traditional understanding has emphasized sleep deprivation as a primary factor affecting road safety and workplace safety. However, the latest findings reveal that multiple overlapping sleep issues — including sleep disorders, inadequate sleep duration, and engagement in shift work — collectively contribute to higher risks. Notably, 16% of participants reported falling asleep while driving, and 23% experienced near-misses caused by sleepiness. The presence of all three factors dramatically increased the likelihood of sleep-related incidents, surpassing the impact of any single factor.

Dr. Kelly Sansom from Murdoch University's Center for Healthy Aging emphasized that these combined factors have been largely overlooked in safety studies. The research indicates that addressing multiple sleep-related risks simultaneously is crucial in developing effective interventions for reducing accidents among young adults.

Implications of the study suggest that education on sleep disorder recognition and management, along with promoting healthy sleep routines, could significantly improve safety outcomes in this demographic. Experts also stress the importance of raising awareness among shift workers, who are particularly vulnerable to sleep issues, and ensuring access to sleep health services.

This comprehensive study utilized existing sleep health data from the longstanding Raine Study, a major cohort project established in 1989 in Western Australia. The findings underscore the need for integrated sleep health strategies to safeguard young adults in both their professional and personal lives.