Journal article
Effect of a community-based sleep extension intervention on young adults' sleep and risky driving propensity: a randomised controlled trial
Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol.238, pp.1-10
2026
PMID: 42735492
Abstract
Background
Insufficient sleep is a key risk factor for road vehicle crashes in young adults. This trial evaluated the effectiveness of a sleep extension intervention on reducing on-road risky driving in young adult drivers who self-identified as sleepy.
Methods
Australian drivers (18–24 years old), reporting insufficient sleep (average <7 h/night and <6 h at least twice weekly) were randomized to either a sleep extension intervention, or nutrition information placebo. The intervention included a personalized sleep extension schedule and sleep education; the control group received nutrition information only. Outcomes were assessed using wrist and in-vehicle accelerometers during three two-week assessment periods (baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up), followed by laboratory assessments. Primary outcomes were changes in objective and subjective sleep (sleep duration, short sleep episodes, and quality), and driving behaviour (proportion of harsh starts/stops and turns exceeding acceleration thresholds). Analyses followed an intention-to-treat approach.
Results
Ninety-nine drivers completed the study (Mage = 20.62, SD = 1.90, 73% female). The intervention group showed significant reductions in harsh starts/stops (β = −0.14, p = 0.024) and harsh turns (β = −0.07, p = 0.036) post-intervention compared to controls, though effects were not sustained at follow-up. No significant between-group differences were observed for objective sleep duration or short sleep frequency. Subjective sleep-related daytime impairment decreased post-intervention in the intervention group (β = −5.64, p = 0.002), but not at follow-up.
Conclusion
Sleep extension and education-focussed interventions may be effective at reducing crash risk in young adults. Further research is needed to support long-term maintenance and integration into road safety strategies.
Details
- Title
- Effect of a community-based sleep extension intervention on young adults' sleep and risky driving propensity: a randomised controlled trial
- Authors
- Kalina R Rossa (Corresponding Author) - The University of QueenslandCassandra L Pattinson - The University of QueenslandDwayne L Mann - The University of QueenslandJunyan Zhang - The University of QueenslandShamsi Shekari Soleimanloo - The University of QueenslandShannon L Edmed - The University of QueenslandMd Ashraful Alam - The University of QueenslandAlicia C Allan - The University of QueenslandKaren A Sullivan - Queensland University of TechnologyPaul Salmon - University of the Sunshine CoastSimon S Smith - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol.238, pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.aap.2026.108767
- ISSN
- 1879-2057
- PMID
- 42735492
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
- Data Availability
- Data will be made available on request.
- Grants
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991260051502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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