Although many of us spent more time than ever at home last year, the road toll actually increased in Queensland in 2020 while decreasing in other states and territories in Australia. In fact, 267 people died on QLD roads in 2020, which is 57 more lives lost than in 2019. This is a significant problem.
Young Australians aged 18-24 are disproportionately affected by road trauma. In fact, road trauma is the leading cause of death and permanent disability for young adults. Sleepiness (or “fatigue”) directly accounts for at least 20 per cent of all road fatalities. Young adults frequently drive when they are dangerously sleepy, but currently there is little evidence for effective interventions to decrease sleepiness-related road crashes.
Despite the inevitable delays to research which COVID-19 presented, a team of ISSR researchers, led by Professor Simon Smith have successfully begun their randomised control trial to test a new program that is investigating the role of sleep, nutrition, activity and transport use in young adults in lowering their risk of road crashes.
Titled the Young Adult Health Study (YAHS), the study is currently recruiting 18 – 24 year olds who:
- drive regularly,
- commonly sleep less than 7 hours per night,
- are not eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and
- are willing to make a change to a health behaviour.
Does this sound like anyone you know? If yes, check out the study here: https://issr.uq.edu.au/yahs
Alternatively, if you would like to get in touch or help us advertise the study send us an email; yahs@uq.edu.au
This exciting study is expected to yield a significant advancement in knowledge about effective interventions in sleep, nutrition, activity and transport, particularly in young people. It is hoped that the long-term impact of this research may help reduce road trauma in young drivers, and a consequent reduction in the medical, industrial and social costs associated with trauma care.
The ISSR team: Professor Simon Smith, Dr Shamsi Shekari, Dr Kalina Rossa, Dr Alicia Allan, Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Shannon Edmed, Ms Sylistah Gadam, Ms Nadine Lorimer, Mr Arvind Gnani Srinivasan.
Partners: QUT and USC
