The New York State Partnership Against Drowsy Driving (NYPDD) today warned of the dangers of drowsy driving as Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025. The partnership is promoting a "Stay Awake! Stay Alive!" message before and after the time change as a reminder that drivers should be alert. 

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 24 hours without sleep has similar effects on driving ability as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10 percent. GHSA also estimates that drowsy driving is a contributing factor in 328,000 crashes nationwide annually, and more than half of them involve drivers 25 years old and younger. 

Last year, 3,876 police-reported crashes in New York State involved “fatigue/drowsy driving” and/or “driver fell asleep” as contributing factors, according to preliminary statistics from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR). Of the reported crashes, nine involved at least one fatality and 1,423 involved at least one injury.

"Drowsy or fatigued driving poses a serious risk to everyone on the road," said Mark J.F. Schroeder, NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). “Besides impaired judgment and slower reaction time, drivers may also experience something called micro-sleep, or short, involuntary periods of inattention. The National Safety Council estimates that at highway speed, a vehicle will travel the length of a football field in four or five seconds, so a few seconds of inattention can lead to tragic results.” 

“With Daylight Saving Time approaching, it means longer days but darker mornings,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “It’s essential that New Yorkers take necessary precautions to avoid drowsy driving and protect themselves from accidents. Getting enough rest, avoiding alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness, and taking breaks during long drives can all prevent devastating and traumatic events when behind the wheel.”

New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare, Esq. said, “This time of year can be challenging for people adjusting their sleep schedule with the change to Daylight Saving Time. It can also put people at risk for drowsy driving. Driving while fatigued can be just as dangerous as drugged or distracted driving, seriously impacting motor skills, which can cause a crash. Motorists should know the warning signs of drowsy driving and only get behind the wheel if they are awake and alert. Making safe decisions can save lives.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Countless New Yorkers are eagerly anticipating the start of Daylight Saving Time, with the longer days and warmer weather it will usher in. But the time change, along with ‘losing’ an hour of sleep, can be disruptive to routines as well as sleep cycles. It is every motorist’s responsibility to look out for the warning signs of drowsy driving. If you are too tired to drive, stay off the road, and if you feel yourself getting drowsy behind the wheel, please pull over safely – stay awake and stay alive!”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “As daylight savings begins, it is important to become familiar with the signs of fatigue and what steps to take when fatigued behind the wheel. A drowsy driver can be every bit as dangerous as a driver who is speeding, distracted or impaired. The New York State Police in partnership with the Department of Motor Vehicles urges all motorists to recognize the symptoms of drowsy driving and to make responsible decisions before operating their vehicles.”

Lauren Meade, Director of Field Engagement for NY SADD, said, “The “Stay Awake! Stay Alive!” PSA Challenge is an exciting opportunity for students to use their creativity to make a real impact on their peers and their community. Drowsy driving is a serious but often overlooked danger, especially for young adults balancing school, work and late nights. Through this challenge, we’re empowering students to raise awareness and be part of the solution. We can’t wait to see their powerful messages come to life for yet another year!"

Lisa M. Endee, Clinical Associate Professor at Stony Brook University, said, “Good quality and sufficient sleep is critical to overall health and safety. Young adults are a particularly vulnerable population for sleep deprivation, and many do not consider the consequences of getting behind the wheel when sleep deprived. The “Stay Awake, Stay Alive” campaign seeks to engage students in advocating for healthy sleep, raise awareness about the important danger of drowsy driving, and emphasize DROWSY as a fourth ‘D’ in the dangerous driving behaviors alongside drunk, drugged and distracted driving.”

Education Campaign 

Since young drivers, ages 18-29, have the highest likelihood to drive while drowsy (71 percent) compared to other age groups, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), the Partnership has focused its outreach efforts on college campuses statewide. The partnership has also targeted counties where statewide crash data reflect a higher incidence of crashes in which the driver fell asleep or drowsiness or fatigue was reported as a contributing factor.

The NYPDD and NY Students Against Destructive Decisions (NY SADD) are again sponsoring a “Stay Awake! Stay Alive!” Public Service Announcement (PSA) Challenge for students at 21 colleges. Participants will create a 25-second video to raise awareness about drowsy driving, vying for cash awards of $2,500, $1,500, or $1,000, respectively, for first-, second- and third-place.

Additional details and a link to view previous winning PSAs can be found on the SADD website. Last year’s winning PSAs are also running on screens in DMV offices and New York State Thruway rest areas.

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has been conducting a social media campaign targeting college students. This year, DOH is kicking off a second social media campaign focusing on commercial vehicle drivers, who also have an outsize risk of driving while drowsy. Other groups at high risk of driving while drowsy include people who work long hours or late-night shifts; people with sleep disorders; and new parents or caregivers of infants and young children.

The New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority will also help raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving. From Friday, March 7, through Monday, March 10, variable message signs along major roadways will tell motorists to “STAY AWAKE, STAY ALIVE.”

Effects of Driving Drowsy and Prevention

Sleepiness can slow a driver’s reaction time, impair vision and judgment, and delay the processing of information, increasing the odds of a crash. Drivers should get adequate sleep before driving, take a break about every 100 miles or every two hours, and bring a passenger to help keep them awake and share the driving. Do not drink alcohol before driving, and always be aware of the potential side effects of any medications.

Common strategies to avoid drowsiness, such as opening a window, turning on air conditioning or playing loud music should not be relied upon to overcome fatigue. The safest thing to do when experiencing drowsiness while driving is to pull over and find a safe place to sleep.

For more information about the dangers of drowsy driving and strategies to avoid it, visit the GTSC’s Drowsy Driving Awareness webpage; the Stony Brook University School of Health Profession’s educational and interactive website, StopDrowsyDriving.org; the National Sleep Foundation’s Facts About Drowsy Driving, DOH’s website; and NHTSA’s research on drowsy driving.

About the NYPDD

Established in 2004, the NYPDD seeks to educate the public and high-risk groups about the dangers of drowsy driving and promote preventive strategies. Members include representatives from the GTSC, DOH, Thruway Authority, DOT, NYSP, the NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, the Trucking Association of New York, AAA Hudson Valley, the NYS Association of Traffic Safety Boards, NYS Sheriffs’ Association, NYS SADD and SUNY Stony Brook.