Effects of alcohol hangover on simulated highway driving performance

Background The purpose of this study was to examine theeffects of alcohol hangover on simulated highway drivingperformance.Methods Driving performance of forty-two social drinkerswas tested the morning following an evening of consumingon average 10.2 (SD=4.2) alcoholic drinks (alcohol hangover)and on a control day (no alcohol consumed). Subjectsperformed a standardized 100-km highway driving test in theSTISIM driving simulator. In addition to the standard deviationof lateral position (SDLP; i.e., the weaving of the car),lapses of attention were examined. Self-reported driving qualityand driving style were scored, as well as mental effort toperform the test, sleepiness before and after driving, andhangover severity.Results Driving performance was significantly impaired duringalcohol hangover as expressed by an SDLP increase of +1.9 cm (t(1,41)=2.851, p=0.007), increased number of lapsesrelative to the control day (7.7 versus 5.3 lapses, t(1,41)=2.125,p=0.019), and an increased total lapse time (182.7 versus127.3 s, p=0.040). During alcohol hangover, subjects reportedtheir driving quality to be significantly poorer (t(1,41)=4.840,p=0.001) and less safe (t(1,41)=5.078, p=0.001), wise (t(1,41)=4.061, p=0.001), predictable (t(1,41)=3.475, p=0.001), andresponsible (t(1,41)=4.122, p=0.001). Subjects further reportedbeing significantly more tense while driving (t(1,41)=3.280,p=0.002), and more effort was needed to perform the drivingtest (t(1,41)=2.941, p=0.001). There was a significant interactionwith total sleep time and hangover effects on SDLP andthe number of lapses.Conclusions In conclusion, driving is significantly impairedduring alcohol hangover, as expressed in an elevated SDLPand increased number of lapses. Total sleep time has a significantimpact on the magnitude of driving impairment