Leeds Driving Simulator research – combating sleep apnea

While most projects in the Leeds Driving Simulator test safety issues for the fully capable driver, one has been aiming to help clinicians make objective decisions on driver safety for people with specific medical conditions.

Using what is known as the mini-Sim - basically the same software as the main Leeds simulator but with screens, wheel and pedals that can be fitted at a normal desk - the researchers compared driver competence to clinical assessments of wakefulness in patients suffering from sleep apnea, a condition that causes irregular breathing during sleep and can lead to serious levels of fatigue. The study took place at the sleep clinic at St. James' hospital, headed by Dr Mark Elliott.

"At the moment, clinicians have to make a subjective decision as to whether a patient is safe to drive, but we wanted to see if it was possible to objectively assess how much the condition was affecting people's driving ability," says Dr Elliott. "The advantage of the mini-Sim is that it can be easily set up in the clinic when people come for a consultation."

The pilot study - involving 40 patients - showed there was a link between clinical measurements of sleepiness and driver performance. The researchers are now seeking funding to take this further, with the aim of developing an objective system for measuring driver competence.

For more information visit the Leeds Driving Simulator website.