Elsevier

Public Health

Volume 117, Issue 5, September 2003, Pages 329-332
Public Health

Caffeine consumption in drivers of heavy vehicles in Turkey

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0033-3506(03)00076-3Get rights and content

Abstract

Long-distance drivers in Turkey are forced to drive continuously for 15–20 h on intercity roads without sleep or assistant drivers in order that their cargos, comprising perishable goods (e.g. vegetables, fish), can be transported to their destination on time. During long journeys, drivers try to suppress their need for sleep by using substances containing caffeine as they do not want to stop for a rest.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of gripin by long-distance drivers and its adverse effects. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the resting facilities of the Kırıkkale–Ankara highway in December 1999.

Sixty-five percent of long-distance drivers took gripin regularly while using their vehicles. Of these, 53.8% used gripin due to headache and 46.2% to prevent sleep. Sixty-five percent of drivers were smokers and 76.9% of smokers took gripin.

It was observed that long-distance drivers tend to use substances containing caffeine in order to prevent sleep and headache.

Introduction

According toTurkish traffic laws, a driver cannot drive for more than 9 h in a 24 h period. Furthermore, drivers are supposed to rest for 2 h during the 9 h driving period.1 However, long-distance drivers in Turkey are forced to drive continuously for 15–20 h on intercity roads without sleep or assistant drivers in order that their cargos, comprising perishable goods (e.g. vegetables, fish), can be transported to their destination on time.

Of the 440,149 road accidents that took place in 1998, 64,325 occurred on intercity routes. Heavy vehicles accounted for 36.3% of those accidents. Likewise, of 2072 fatal road accidents, 51.9% (13.5% in 1996) involved heavy vehicles.2 In 1996, this rate was 3.1% in Germany, 3.2% in France, 3.8% in Britain and 9.3% in Spain. When comparing the proportion of heavy vehicles to cars, this figure was 2.9% in Turkey vs 19.7% in Germany and 6.7% in France.3 Given the above information, the role of heavy vehicles in accidents, particularly fatal accidents, is of importantance for Turkey.

During long journeys, drivers try to suppress their need for sleep by using substances containing caffeine as they do not want to stop for a rest. Caffeine has a marked effect of inhibiting sleep; however, it has also been determined to have an adverse influence on the central nervous system, decreasing attention and concentration capability.4., 5., 6. Moreover, caffeine-containing beverages can provide energy solely for a short period.7 When caffeine is ingested with drugs, not in beverages, the maximum blood level is reached in 40 min and this reduces attention and causes stumbling and involuntary trembling in lower limbs.8., 9. Caffeine-containing beverages may provide stimulation for only short period of time when energy is in short supply.6

Each tablet of gripin, a drug containing caffeine, contains 30 mg caffeine whilst a cup of coffee contains, on average, 9 mg caffeine.10., 11. The quantity of caffeine estimated in blood 30–60 min after drinking a cup of coffee is 1.5 μg/ml whereas it is 2–10 μg/ml after ingestion of caffeine-containing drugs. Caffeine is known to be toxic at concentrations above 15 μg/ml.12

Among caffeine-containing drugs, drivers favour gripin as it has a rich caffeine content, is cheap, readily available and easily ingested.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of gripin by long-distance drivers and its adverse effects. This study, the first to examine the relationship between heavy vehicle drivers, caffeine and its adverse effects, is of particular importance in reducing the number of traffic accidents involving heavy vehicles.

Section snippets

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the resting facilities of the Kırıkkale–Ankara highway in December 1999. The research is planned as a pilot study and it is hoped to expand over the whole country in due course.

A questionnaire was distributed to 500 truck drivers who volunteered to take part in the study. They answered the questionnaire face to face.

The questionnaire comprised 20 questions about drivers and the subject. All the information presented in this study was compiled and

Results

Thirteen percent, 43.0, 34.0 and 10% of long-distance truck drivers were in the 0–29, 30–39, 40–49 and 50–59 age groups, respectively. Twenty-seven percent of drivers had been working as a driver for 6–10 years, 21.0% for 11–15 years and 18% for 21–25 years. It was also found that 60.0, 35.0 and 1% of drivers drove regularly every day for 6–10, 11–15 and 11–15 h, respectively.

Sixty-five percent of long-distance drivers took gripin regularly while using their vehicles. Of drivers stating that

Discussion

Sixty-five percent of long-distance drivers took gripin regularly while driving. Although, to our knowledge, there is no study on this subject in the literature, we believe that this rate is quite high. The type of headache mentioned by the drivers was a cervical headache, that developed due to driving in the same position for a long time. Cervical headache is relieved for a short period after gripin use, but headache returns in rebound fashion.13 In this study, long-distance drivers stated

Conclusion

Long-distance drivers use substances containing caffeine in order to prevent sleep and headache. Among these substances, gripin is favoured as it is easily available and easy to use.

Some psychotropic drugs containing caffeine are known to play an important role in road traffic accidents as they cause sleepiness and stumbling after a certain period.17., 18. In view of this fact, drivers should be made aware of the dangers of driving for long periods, and the use of caffeine-containing substances

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