Make Sleep Health a Priority Before You Drive

More than 145 million U.S. adults, or 61%, are estimated to have driven while drowsy at least once, and nearly 35 million do so each month. Because poor sleep can come from many different causes, it can raise the risk of driving while tired. That makes it important to put sleep first and to know when you are not fit to drive.

A crash caused by falling asleep at the wheel can be deadly in an instant. Four in 10 adults do not recognize the basic warning signs of drowsy driving, which amounts to about 108 million people in the United States. The numbers point to a serious gap in awareness and underscore the need for drivers to notice their body’s signals before it is too late.

The National Sleep Foundation runs Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, an annual effort that teaches the public about the role sleep plays in safe driving and encourages people to Sleep First. Drive Alert.® Preventing drowsy driving begins with the decisions made before getting behind the wheel, including making sleep a priority. These simple habits can help you, your family, and your friends spot the risks and make safer choices every time you drive.

Can New Technology Help Tired Drivers?

Are systems that support driver safety already found in many vehicles? Yes. The auto industry continues to advance driver-alertness technologies designed to detect sleepiness and fatigue, support drivers, and help stop drowsy driving before it turns into a crash. Support for these safety tools is also growing among everyday drivers, with an estimated 91 million U.S. adult drivers favoring alertness technology in all new vehicles. A similar number support including sleep and drowsy-driving education in driver licensing.

Awareness is fairly high, with 58% of adults familiar with driver-alertness monitoring, but only 31% have ever used the technology. That suggests a major opportunity to expand understanding, access, and adoption. As automakers keep developing and integrating these features to detect signs of sleepiness, consumers also need reassurance about privacy concerns, especially since 62% of adults worry that data gathered by alertness-monitoring systems could be misused. Pairing advanced technology with public education and data-protection safeguards can help build trust in tools designed to make roads safer for everyone.

Driving Toward a Safer Future

Warning signs of drowsy driving are often missed. When drivers do not know what to look for, they put themselves and others at risk. Common warning signs include frequent blinking, nodding off, trouble keeping your eyes open, and drifting out of your lane. Spotting these signals early matters because tiredness can slow reaction time and raise the chance of a crash. If any of these signs appear, drivers should pull over to a safe place and rest before continuing.

Sleep First. Drive Alert.®

Remember, the first and best step toward being alert behind the wheel is getting the sleep you need. When warning signs of drowsy driving or other risk factors are present, the safest choice is not to drive. That bears repeating: when in doubt, don’t drive. If you feel tired, struggle to keep your eyes open, or notice other warning signs, do not brush them off or assume you can push through and stay alert. It is safer to reschedule your trip, delay your departure until you are fully alert, or change your plans to avoid putting yourself and others at risk. If travel is unavoidable, ask a trusted friend or family member to drive, take a taxi, or use a rideshare.

Visit theNSF.org for more tips as you create your own plan to prevent drowsy driving, and explore NSF’s expert resources to help you be your Best Slept Self®.

There is only one National Sleep Foundation (NSF). NSF is an independent nonprofit organization committed to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, NSF works to advance excellence in sleep health theory, research, and practice. For more than 35 years, NSF has promoted sleep health through expert recommendations, consensus guidelines, technology standards, and practical tips and tools that help improve sleep.