In 2016, NHTSA released a strategic plan, Drowsy Driving and Research Program Plan (PDF, 613 KB), addressing six broad focus areas: Measurement and Problem Identification, Public Awareness and Education, Policy Development, High-Risk Populations, Vehicle Technology, and Infrastructure.NHTSA demonstrates its commitment to eliminating drowsy driving on our nation’s roads by working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health to expand our understanding of drowsy driving so we can reduce related deaths and injuries and help people avoid becoming a drowsy-driving statistic. If you must drive during the peak sleepiness periods, stay vigilant for signs of drowsiness, such as crossing over roadway lines or hitting a rumble strip, especially if you’re driving alone. If you drive, avoid driving during the peak sleepiness periods (midnight – 6 a.m.If you take medications that could cause drowsiness as a side effect, use public transportation when possible.Always check your prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness could result from their use.Consumption of alcohol interacts with sleepiness to increase drowsiness and impairment. Avoid drinking any alcohol before driving.Advise your teens to delay driving until they’re well-rested. Many teens do not get enough sleep at a stage in life when their biological need for sleep increases, which makes them vulnerable to the risk of drowsy-driving crashes, especially on longer trips.Before the start of a long family car trip, get a good night’s sleep, or you could put your entire family and others at risk.Experts urge consumers to make it a priority to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. For more information on healthy sleep, see In Brief: Your Guide to Healthy Sleep (PDF, 1.81 MB) at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Getting adequate sleep on a daily basis is the only true way to protect yourself against the risks of driving when you’re drowsy.The terms drowsy, sleepy, and fatigue are used interchangeably although there are differences in the way these terms are used and understood. Effectively dealing with the drowsy-driving problem requires fundamental changes to societal norms and especially attitudes about drowsy driving.
In a 24/7 society, with an emphasis on work, longer commutes, and exponential advancement of technology, many people do not get the sleep they need. Tackling these issues can be difficult when our lifestyle does not align with avoiding drowsy driving. These include impaired cognition and performance, motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, and health consequences. Whether fatigue is caused by sleep restriction due to a new baby waking every couple of hours, a late or long shift at work, hanging out late with friends, or a long and monotonous drive for the holidays – the negative outcomes can be the same. Attitudes About Drowsy Driving Need to Changeįatigue has costly effects on the safety, health, and quality of life of the American public.
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