A third of working people lack sleep and 10% have already fallen asleep at least once while driving. These are the results of a survey carried out on the occasion of Sleep Day.
7 hours of sleep on average for the French. According to a survey by the Institut du Sommeil et de la Vigilance (INSV) and MGEN, revealed on the occasion of the 14e Sleep Day, a third of working people are in sleep debt. A deficit which is reflected in transport, when they go to work.
Short nights, insomnia, awakenings …
“French drivers have lost the equivalent of a night’s sleep each year for 15 years. This chronic sleep debt has a direct impact on their wakefulness when they hit the road. This is why we should remember the importance of taking regular breaks and taking a short nap when the need arises, ”said Bernadette Moreau, Managing Director of the VINCI Autoroutes Foundation in a press release.
Nights too short, insomnia or even interrupted nights… There are many reasons for the sleep debt among the French. Not all choose to fill it immediately. But among passengers (carpooling or public transport), more than a third take advantage of the journey to make up for lack of sleep. “Very quickly I found the solution, or rather, my body found it”, explains Michel, 36 years old at INSV. “I sit on the train… and I sleep. Well programmed, I fall asleep immediately and wake up a few minutes before arrival, in good shape. ”
The “siesteurs” sleep more
The problem of sleep debt arises among drivers. 17% of them admit to having dozed at least once a month and 10% to having fallen asleep at least once. Most often, those who live far from their workplace suffer the most from lack of sleep. “The more workers live away from their work, the longer their journey and the more they have to get up early”, analyzes Professor Damien Léger, president of the INSV.
To recover, workers choose to sleep more on weekends or take a nap at least once a week. Paradoxically, “siesteurs” are more victims of drowsiness than other workers. To fight against drowsiness in transport, the INSV recommends several measures for working people. Knowing how to stop is the key word. But for people more affected by lack of sleep, it is essential to adapt your mode of transport – and not to hesitate to opt for public transport when you are at risk of falling asleep. The Institute cites Japan as a model, where working people do not hesitate to take advantage of their metro journey to doze off.
.
