Investigation of Differences in Crash Characteristics Between Males and Females Involved in Fatigue-Related Crashes or Close-Call Events

摘要

There is consensus among community and road safety agencies that driver fatigue is a major road safety issue, and it is well known that excessive fatigue is linked with an increased risk of a motor vehicle crash. Previous research has implicated a wide variety of factors involved in fatigue-related crashes, and the effects of these various factors in regard to crash risk can be interpreted as causal (e.g., alcohol or drugs may induce fatigue states) or additive (e.g., where a lack of sleep is combined with alcohol). This investigation examined self-report data to determine whether there are any differences in the prevalence, crash characteristics, and travel patterns of males and females involved in fatigue-related crashes or close-call events. A representative sample of residents (N - 1,600) living in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, Australia, were surveyed regarding their experience of fatigue and their involvement in fatigue-related crashes and close-call incidents. Results revealed that more than 35% of the participants reported having had a close call or crash caused by driving when tired in the 5 years prior to the study. In addition, the results obtained revealed a number of interesting characteristics that provide preliminary evidence that gender differences do exist in the prevalence, crash characteristics, and travel patterns of males and females involved in fatigue-related crashes or close-call events. It is argued that the results obtained can provide particularly useful information for the refinement and further development of appropriate countermeasures that better target this complex issue.