Short sleep duration, sleep disorders, and traffic accidents

• Sleepiness is a main factor responsible for traffic accidents due to human error.
• People with insufficient sleep have an increased risk of traffic accidents.
• Early detection and treatment of sleep disorders should be promoted for preventing accidents.
• It is necessary to maintain appropriate working conditions for drivers.

Sleepiness is an important factor in traffic accidents caused by human error. The purpose of this paper is to review a number of studies conducted over the years regarding the effect of the lack of sleep on the incidence of traffic accidents as well as the individual effects of various sleep disorders on accidents. In addition, we discuss recent advances in methods of detecting sleepiness and strategies for preventing traffic accident by using these methods.