Rideshare contractors are at risk for drowsy driving, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
This is because drivers typically are awake for extended periods or during nights, and it interrupts the body’s circadian rhythms and causes sleep deprivation. In addition, rideshare drivers are independent contractors so they are not screened for medical conditions, including sleep apnea.
Drowsy driving also has been identified by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) as a safety hazard.
The NTSB said reducing drowsy driving is one of the top 10 issues critical for reducing transportation accidents and saving lives while the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates 328,000 crashes annually in the U.S. are the result of drowsy driving. Of those accidents, 6,400 resulted in a fatality.
“We are dealing with a public safety issue, where low fares and salary incentives compel drivers to continue driving past their safety limits,” Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, senior author of the AASM, said. “They may be unaware of the huge risks they are taking or have the false belief that sleep is overrated. Their customers, meanwhile, usually aren’t asking themselves, ‘How alert is my driver right now?’ They aren’t even thinking about drowsy driving. This is a formula for disaster.”