There are a lot of people in Florida who have to work unusual hours. If a night shift is consistent, some people can get used to sleeping during the day. However, there are many people who end up with chronic sleeplessness because of a night work shift or a work shift that is always changing.
What is shift work sleep disorder?
Shift work sleep disorder, or SWSD, is a sleep condition caused by working overnight or unusual hours. People with SWSD have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep when they get the opportunity. As a result, people suffering from SWSD can become chronically sleep deprived, which can lead to many other problems.
The impact SWSD has on driving
A study by researchers from the University of Missouri found that people who are suffering from SWSD have a 300% higher chance of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. To put that in perspective, people with other sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea are 30% more likely to be involved in car accidents. That means SWSD is one of the most dangerous conditions that you can have before getting behind the wheel of a car.
Lower your risk of getting into an accident
Working unusual shifts is unavoidable for a lot of people. If you’re in a situation where you can’t change your work schedule, it’s important to at least be aware of SWSD. Knowing how much more dangerous it is for you to drive may help you to make smarter decisions. For example, you could decide to take public transportation or a taxi instead of driving to and from work yourself. If you have to drive to and from work, you could try to get a nap in before each drive in order to lower your risk of an accident.
