Falling back could leave you drowsy behind the wheel

As clocks “fall again” this week, the shift in daylight can throw off your sleep schedule and your alertness behind the wheel. Dropping even just a little sleep or disrupting your routine could make you’re feeling extra drained than traditional, growing your threat of drowsy driving.

In keeping with a 2025 survey from the American Academy of Sleep Drugs, 41% of U.S. adults have felt so sleepy whereas driving that it affected their potential to drive safely. That features half of males (50%) and one-third of girls (33%).

Drowsy driving is like driving drunk

Drowsy driving is a severe well being and security threat, and like drunk driving, it’s fully avoidable. Once you don’t get sufficient high quality sleep, your mind doesn’t operate at full capability. Fatigue slows response instances, reduces alertness, and makes it more durable to remain targeted on the highway.

Even average sleep loss can have an effect on driving potential in methods much like alcohol.

One study discovered that after 17 to 19 hours with out sleep, efficiency was equal or worse than driving with a blood alcohol focus of 0.05%. Response speeds had been as much as 50% slower, and accuracy dropped considerably. After longer durations with out sleep, efficiency declined to ranges corresponding to a BAC of 0.1%, which is increased than the legal limit for driving in all U.S. states.

Simply as alcohol impairs judgment and coordination, drowsiness can delay response instances and make it more durable to reply rapidly behind the wheel.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that about one in six deadly crashes includes a drowsy driver. Drivers between ages 35 and 44 had been the most probably to report feeling so drained on the wheel that it impaired their potential to drive safely, however anybody can expertise the consequences of fatigue.

Warning indicators to observe for

You won’t understand how drowsy you’re till it’s too late. Warning indicators embrace:

Frequent yawning or incapability to maintain your eyes open
Catching your self “nodding off” or having hassle preserving your head up
Incapability to recollect driving the previous few miles
Lacking highway indicators or driving previous your flip
Following too near vehicles in entrance of you
Drifting into the opposite lane of visitors
Driving onto the “rumble strip” or the shoulder of the highway

If any of those sound acquainted, it’s time to tug over or have one other passenger take the wheel.

How you can keep alert

Earlier than driving, be sure to’re properly rested. The AASM recommends that adults should sleep seven or more hours per night frequently. Keep away from driving late at night time or alone when attainable, and share driving duties on lengthy journeys. In case you begin feeling drowsy, cease at a relaxation space and take a brief nap.

In case you work late or in a single day shifts, prepare for a trip residence as a substitute of driving your self.

Getting sufficient wholesome sleep is likely one of the best methods to cut back the danger of drowsy driving.

Study extra about healthy sleep habits or discover an AASM-accredited sleep center close to you.