Love to drive with windows down, sip tea or coffee, or listen to loud music? You may be suffering from a sleep disorder, suggests a study by an Indian-origin researcher.

Frequently using more than three strategies, such as opening the window, drinking tea and coffee or turning up the radio, to stay alert while driving could be a sign of excessive sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), revealed the study published in ERJ Open Research.

OSA causes excessive sleepiness and people with untreated OSA are at higher risk of collisions on the road.

Understanding the signals could help spot those with OSA who may be at a higher risk of a driving incident, the researchers said. People with OSA often snore loudly, their breathing starts and stops during the night, and they may wake up several times.