Asleep at the Wheel

The National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2012 Sleep in America poll found that 26% of train operators and 23% of pilots say sleepiness has affected their job performance at least once a week. This is compared with 17% of non-transportation workers.

What’s more alarming is the percent of transportation workers who admit sleepiness has caused safety issues. Twenty percent of pilots say they have made a serious error because of sleepiness, and 18% of train operators and 14% of truck drivers say they have had a “near miss” due to sleepiness.  

Pilots and train operators are more likely (6% each) than non-transportation workers (1%) to have a car accident during their commute because of sleepiness.

Pilots and train operators also report the most work day sleep dissatisfaction—50% of pilots and 57% of train operators say they rarely or never get a good night’s sleep during work nights. Twenty-nine percent of bus, taxi and limo drivers feel the same. What’s worse is pilots and train operators have the highest average commute time of 45.5 minutes and 31 minutes, compared with a 23.8-minute average for non-transportation workers.

Many transportation workers say their work schedules are a major reason for sleep problems. Forty-four percent of train operators and 37% of pilots say their work schedules do not allow enough time for sleep.

Transportation workers aren’t the only ones who say sleepiness affects them. About one in 10 Americans say they are likely to fall asleep during meetings or while driving.