title: Effects of alcohol hangover on simulated highway driving performance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of alcohol hangover on simulated highway driving performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Driving performance of forty-two social drinkers was tested the morning following an evening of consuming on average 10.2 (SD = 4.2) alcoholic drinks (alcohol hangover) and on a control day (no alcohol consumed). Subjects performed a standardized 100-km highway driving test in the STISIM driving simulator. In addition to the standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP; i.e., the weaving of the car), lapses of attention were examined. Self-reported driving quality and driving style were scored, as well as mental effort to perform the test, sleepiness before and after driving, and hangover severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Driving performance was significantly impaired during alcohol hangover as expressed by an SDLP increase of +1.9 cm (t (1,41) = 2.851, p = 0.007), increased number of lapses relative 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 versus 127.3 s, p = 0.040). During alcohol hangover, subjects reported their 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), and responsible (t (1,41) = 4.122, p = 0.001). Subjects further reported being significantly more tense while driving (t (1,41) = 3.280, p = 0.002), and more effort was needed to perform the driving test (t (1,41) = 2.941, p = 0.001). There was a significant interaction with total sleep time and hangover effects on SDLP and the number of lapses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, driving is significantly impaired during alcohol hangover, as expressed in an elevated SDLP and increased number of lapses. Total sleep time has a significant impact on the magnitude of driving impairment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands, j.c.verster@uu.nl.
authors.forename: Joris C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Verster
authors.forename: Adriana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bervoets
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Klerk
authors.forename: Rick A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vreman
authors.forename: Berend
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Karel A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brookhuis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D020751:Alcohol-Induced Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol