Impaired vigilance and increased accident rate in public transport operators is associated with sleep disorders

► The prevalence of sleep disorders and motor vehicle accidents was high among this group of public transport operators. ► The effects of intervention, in newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea in PTOs, led to significant improvements in subjective and objective daytime cognitive function and vigilance. ► Our findings argue for awareness of sleep disorders and associated impacts on daytime function. ► Our findings point to the need of future prospective studies on the impact of sleep disorder treatment and traffic safety in public transport operators.