Psychological and social conditions potentially related to traffic accidents involving bus drivers are identified. Participants were 457 drivers, males and employees of local public transportation companies of Natal, RN, Brazil. Questionnaire contained items on professional performance comprising potentially stressing situations, effects of organizational policies and socio-demographic characteristics, in addition to Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Variables highly associated to accident occurrences included extra work hours, work during vacations, medical leave, passengers' complaints, excessive daytime sleepiness, and concern about sleep, arriving late and family problems. Present time perspective was not related to involvement in accidents. Results suggest that involvement in traffic accidents may be avoided, or at least diminished, by an improvement in work conditions and through public policies of health and safety.
Traffic accidents; bus drivers; working conditions
