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Quiet Killer: Dangers of drowsy driving as we ‘spring forward’

With daylight saving time approaching on Sunday, darker mornings and lost hour of sleep will lead to more drowsy drivers, AAA warns.

A soon-to-be-published study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, based on in-depth crash investigations and national fatal crash data, estimates that drowsy driving is a factor in roughly 10 times as many traffic fatalities as traditional crash data indicates.

“This study should be a wakeup call for drivers to not underestimate the dangers of drowsy driving,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. “Whether you’re driving to work or taking the family on a road trip, stay alert or get off the road.”

According to the new Foundation study, drowsy drivers were involved in 18% of all traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021 and in an estimated 6,725 deaths in 2021 alone. From 2017 to 2021, nearly 30,000 deaths were attributed to drowsy driving.

These figures are far higher than official government statistics, highlighting the underreported nature of drowsy driving crashes. According to NHTSA, there is agreement across the traffic safety, sleep science, and public health communities that the impact of drowsy driving is underestimated.

Drowsiness impairs drivers in different ways:

  • Reduced alertness: Makes it harder to react quickly to hazards. Just one hour less than the expert-recommended minimum of 7 hours of sleep increases a driver’s risk of crashing.
  • Impaired judgment: Increases the risk of making poor decisions on the road. Sleep deprivation increases a driver’s risk of making many ordinary mistakes, leading to crashes. Those deprived of sleep by 4+ hours have an impairment similar to those over the legal BAC limit.
  • Hazardous microsleeps: Can cause momentary lapses in consciousness, leading to loss of control of the vehicle and failure to respond to dangers on the road.
  • Self-perception of drowsiness: Previous Foundation research found that drivers often underestimate their drowsiness, putting themselves and others at risk.

Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving, according to the CDC:

  • Frequent yawning or blinking.
  • Trouble remembering the past few miles driven.
  • Missing your exit.
  • Drifting from your lane.
  • Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road.

Who’s at greater risk of drowsy driving and related crashes and deaths?

According to the CDC:

  • Teen and young adult drivers.
  • Drivers on the road between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the later afternoon.
  • Drivers who don’t get enough sleep.
  • Commercial truck drivers.
  • Drivers who work the night shift or long shifts.
  • Drivers with untreated sleep disorders – like sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
  • Drivers who use medicines that make them drowsy.

What can drivers do to avoid drowsy driving?

  • Get enough sleep before driving. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of a quick nap. A 20- to 30-minute nap can significantly improve your alertness.
  • Travel at times of the day when you are normally awake. Avoid driving when you are tired or sleepy.
  • Listen to your body. If you start to feel tired, pull over and take a break. Don’t try to push through it.
  • Take breaks every two hours or 100 miles. Get out of the car, stretch your legs, and get fresh air. Plan and identify safe, comfortable places to take breaks. Don’t wait until you’re already feeling drowsy.
  • Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving. Sharing the driving can help you stay awake and alert.
  • Avoid heavy meals before driving. Eating a large meal can make you feel tired and sluggish.
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs. Both can impair your driving ability. Besides harming driving directly, they can also amplify drowsiness.

AAA said it supports the development of vehicle technology that can detect drowsiness and prevent drivers from operating a vehicle when impaired. This technology could help to save lives by preventing drowsy driving crashes.


About the Author
Francine Frazier headshot

A Jacksonville native and proud University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 after spending nine years at The Florida Times-Union.

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