Ahead of the end of daylight-saving time, the New York State Partnership Against Drowsy Driving (NYPDD) today reminded drivers to be aware of the dangers of drowsy driving. Despite the additional hour gained in the time change, it can disrupt sleep patterns, causing people to feel drowsy.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 3. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) uses the occasion to begin its Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, November 3 to 9.

“Drowsiness or fatigue can affect driving ability, which puts not only the driver at risk of injury or death in a crash, but everyone else on the road as well,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). “The risk is even greater for young drivers, due to inexperience, but all motorists should know and be aware of the warning signs of drowsiness, particularly as we adjust to standard time, and avoid driving in that situation.”

Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare, Esq. said: “Drowsy driving causes thousands of crashes every year, and it is entirely preventable. Before you get behind the wheel, make sure you get the sleep you need to stay alert and drive safely. The time change can impact sleep schedules so motorists should know the warning signs of fatigue and make smart decisions, which can save lives.” 

“We are approaching the end of daylight-saving time, so it’s essential that New Yorkers take necessary precautions to avoid falling asleep behind the wheel as it gets darker earlier,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Getting adequate rest before driving, avoiding alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness, and taking breaks during long drives can all prevent devastating and traumatic events.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “A drowsy driver on the road can be just as dangerous as a driver who is speeding, distracted, or impaired. As daylight saving time ends, it is important to become familiar with the signs of fatigue and what steps to take if you do feel tired behind the wheel. The New York State Police urges all motorists to always make responsible decisions before operating their vehicles.”

Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Setting our clocks back can change daily routines, disrupt sleep schedules, and make it hard to stay alert at times. This can be especially dangerous for drivers, as a moment’s inattentiveness can lead to a tragedy that lasts a lifetime. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, so I urge all motorists to pay attention while driving and pull over if they do not feel alert - stay awake and stay alive!”

According to Lisa M. Endee, Clinical Associate Professor at Stony Brook University, “Good quality and sufficient sleep is critical to overall health and safety. The "changing of the clocks" results in a shift in our sleep/wake cycle, which is often associated with increased daytime sleepiness and a higher risk of motor vehicle crashes. The “Stay Awake, Stay Alive” campaign advocates for healthy sleep, aims to raise awareness about the important danger of drowsy driving, and emphasizes DROWSY as a fourth ‘D’ in the dangerous driving behaviors alongside drunk, drugged, and distracted driving."

In 2023, 5,111 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) at the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College. Of the reported crashes, 15 involved at least one fatality, and 1,843 involved at least one injury.

So far in 2024, those same factors have been listed 2,419 times on police crash reports from across the state, according to preliminary figures from ITSMR. Of those reported crashes, three involved at least one fatality, and 852 involved at least one injury.

In 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 693 fatalities from drowsy driving-related crashes in the United States. NHTSA also estimates that 100,000 crashes each year are caused primarily by drowsy driving, resulting in more than 71,000 injuries. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also cites drowsy driving as the cause of thousands of car crashes each year, killing an estimated 6,400 people nationally.

NHTSA says drowsy driving is likely underreported as a crash factor due to lack of firm evidence. Evidence can be difficult to obtain because investigations are done after the crash, drivers may be unaware of the role drowsiness played, drivers may be reluctant to admit they were tired or fell asleep, or the involved driver may have died.

To raise awareness of the dangers of driving while drowsy or fatigued, the NYPDD is promoting a “Stay Awake! Stay Alive!” message during Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Member agencies will also promote the safety message through social media and newsletters.

The NYPDD also cautions against relying upon common strategies to overcome fatigue and avoid drowsiness, such as opening a window, turning on air conditioning or playing loud music. In addition, the effects of caffeine can take a half hour to set in and only provide a short-term increase in driver alertness. The safest thing to do when drivers experience drowsiness is to pull over and find a safe place to sleep.

NYPDD engages college campuses statewide in drowsy-driving injury prevention programs, including awareness, education and outreach focused on the importance of sleep. Last year, NYS Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) partnered with the NYPDD to sponsor a “Stay Awake! Stay Alive! Public Service Announcement (PSA) Challenge” for students at 15 State University of New York campuses, two City University of New York campuses and Ithaca College to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while drowsy.

The three winning PSAs were aired on social media, at Thruway Service Areas, and at DMV offices throughout the state, and the students who produced those videos won cash awards. View the winners and honorable mentions on YouTube. NYS SADD and NYPDD will sponsor another PSA challenge for students in the spring of 2025 at the same schools and will announce additional details later.

While anyone can be at risk for drowsy driving, some groups have been identified as more vulnerable, including commercial drivers, particularly tractor-trailer, tour bus, and public transit drivers; people who work long hours or late-night shifts; people with sleep disorders; parents or caregivers of infants and young children; young and newer drivers; and college and high school students.

The warning signs of drowsy driving include repeated yawning, struggling to keep one’s eyes open and focused, forgetting the last few miles driven, tailgating or missing traffic signals, and swerving or drifting between lanes of traffic. 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.

For more information about the dangers of drowsy driving and strategies to avoid it, visit the GTSC’s Drowsy Driving Awareness webpage, the SUNY at Stony Brook School of Health Technology & Management’s educational and interactive website, StopDrowsyDriving.org, the National Sleep Foundation’s Tips for Staying Alert and Preventing Drowsy Driving, DOH’s website, and NHTSA’s research on drowsy driving.

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, State Police, NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, Trucking Association of New York, AAA Hudson Valley, NYS Association of Traffic Safety Boards, NYS Sheriffs’ Association, NYS SADD and SUNY Stony Brook.

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