Near‑Crash Driving Events After Night‑Shift Work: Real‑World Driving Study
Summary
This experimental study tested driving performance in 16 night-shift workers using an instrumented vehicle on a closed track. Each participant completed two daytime drives: one after a normal night’s sleep and one immediately after a 12-hour night shift. After night duty, drivers showed marked increases in drowsiness (measured by EEG, eye movements, and blink duration), lane excursions, and performance lapses. Eleven near-crash events occurred in the post–night shift condition, but none after normal sleep. All near-crashes happened after 45 minutes of driving, showing that risk builds with time on the road.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
The study highlights that the morning commute after a night shift is one of the riskiest times for drowsy driving. Even experienced drivers showed performance impairments similar to those seen with alcohol. Short naps before leaving work, arranging carpools, or using public transit can reduce risk. For employers, recognizing commuting safety as part of worker health and safety is key—because fatigue doesn’t stop when the shift ends.
Notes
Demonstrates real‑road risk beyond simulators.