One in four doctors admit falling asleep at the wheel after night shifts, survey finds

The 2026 survey of 1,176 doctors found that 24% had fallen asleep at the wheel at least once following a night shift. A further 48% said they had come close to falling asleep while driving home, meaning more than seven in ten (71%) had experienced severe fatigue while driving after night duty.

Respondents identified multiple contributors to fatigue linked to night-shift work. The highest-rated factors included high workload demand overnight, circadian rhythm disruption, consecutive night shifts without adequate recovery, poor daytime sleep quality and short staffing levels.

One doctor described a motorway incident after finishing a night shift:

“I fell asleep after a night shift and woke up to find my car had shifted from the left lane to the third lane. I immediately recognised what had happened and corrected it – but it was scary.”

Another respondent said:

“I was driving on the M20 when I realised I had passed three junctions without noticing. I was later diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea.”

The survey also captured reports of vehicle damage, personal injury and injury to others linked to post-shift incidents. Some respondents said they knew colleagues who had been injured in road traffic accidents after night duty.

Overall, 86% of respondents said fatigue after night shifts represents a significant safety problem for doctors, suggesting strong concern within the profession about the risks associated with overnight work

The findings highlight the extent to which fatigue linked to night-shift work may extend beyond the workplace into doctors’ commutes and public road safety.