Sieste, café et conduite automobile

Up to 20% of traffic accidents are sleep-related. Sleepiness induced by sleep deprivation (including partial sleep deprivation), circadian factors and sleep/wake disorders are considered as main risk factors. Because of the conflicts between physiologic need, professional or social activities, and the amplification of nocturnal driving in industrial societies, identify and develop countermeasures to sleepiness at the wheel is essential. Studies on driving simulators and in real driving conditions show that caffeine (200-300mg) and napping (20-30min) are helpful countermeasures to reduce sleepiness at the wheel. The psycho-stimulant effect of the caffeine is observed half an hour after administration and lasts for 1h30 to 2h.Napping should end 1/2 hour before start driving again to bypass negative effects of sleep inertia. An important interindividual variability (sleep deprivation vulnerability, aging, etc.) existing in response to countermeasures, every driver had to identify the most efficient countermeasure for himself.