OSA and traffic accidents

Many studies have demonstrated that patients with OSA have a higher rate of road accidents.

A study earlier this year OSA as a cause of road traffic accidents took 163 patients with OSA (AHI>10) who were diagnosed by a PSG. Of these participants 18.4% drove for a living. Patients were asked to self report about any accidents they have had or near misses in the last three 3 years.

From this information participants were then divided into two groups, accidents and near misses and those who had had none. Both groups were compared by age, BMI, ESS, daytime PaO2 and PaCO2, functional outcome of sleep questionnaire (FOSQ) and PSG data.

The researchers demonstrated patients who have had road traffic accidents and near misses had more severe OSA, higher AHI's, excessive daytime sleepiness and lower quality of life.

It is estimated that over 50% of Australian truck drivers have mild OSA or worse. Access economics has estimated that the cost of sleep disorders in the Australian community is over $7 billion and much of this can be attributed to OSA.

In Victoria alone it is estimated fatigue results in more than 70 deaths and 500 serious injuries per year. Again it is estimated that a significant percentage of this fatigue is due to sleep disorders.

Being awake for more than 17 hours then driving has the same effect on someone as a blood alcohol level of being .05. Extend that to 24 hours without sleep and there is a similar effect on driving performance as having a blood alcohol concentration of .10. At this level there is a seven time greater risk of having an accident.

The TAC has an interesting case study on various advertising campaigns they have used to educate the community about the consequences of fatigue on our roads.

Jessica