Extended-duration work shifts and risk of motor vehicle crashes among interns
Summary
Across thousands of monthly reports, extended shifts (≥24 h) and more consecutive long shifts were associated with higher risk of post‑shift drowsy‑driving crashes and near‑misses.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
A cohort followed over time how rotation direction, quick‑returns, and long duties tracked with driving safety for night‑shift workers and night owls. Patterns in the data make ‘quick returns’ and rotation direction concrete risk features rather than abstract policy terms. For night‑shift teams and individuals, this ties long‑debated rota features to concrete outcomes, making schedule talk about health, not preference.
Notes
NEJM study in medical interns.