Sleepiness, fatigue, and tiredness link to bus drivers performance in desertic oil producing countries

There is a lack of research that discusses the influence of sleep, fatigue, and tiredness on Bus drivers. The main aim of this research is to determine the impact of driving weariness and sleepiness on bus drivers and to identify the most effective predictor for the contributory factors to sleepiness related to Kuwait’s bus drivers. The abnormal driving behaviors that cause accidents were measured using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). Participants also answered questions on driving experiences, general health conditions, sociodemographic data, and sleeping habits on a Likert scale. Results show that the five statements in the sleep index were a strong predictor of whether the bus driver had to fight sleepiness from 2 to 3 times per week or more than 3 times per week during work.​ Also the fatigue index was a strong predictor. These variables have to do with sleep, work, health, or demographic data. ​When driving a bus, 25.9% of drivers stated they have to fight fatigue at least once or twice a week, while 35% said they do so at least two to three times a week. 19.2% of the participants in the current sample had fallen asleep while operating a bus, and 28.57% had come dangerously near to have an accident in the previous 12 months while 8.5% of them had made an accident due to sleepiness. These findings were found to be an adequate tool to examine bus drivers’ sleepiness.