State warns of drowsy driving as Daylight Saving Time begins
ALBANY, N.Y. » The New York State Partnership Against Drowsy Driving (NYPDD) recently warned motorists of the dangers of drowsy driving as Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 14, at 2 a.m.
A “Stay Awake! Stay Alive!” message is being promoted on variable message signs on the New York State Thruway, other state roads, and on social media before and after the time change.
In addition, the NYPDD is conducting targeted outreach to college students who are among the most at risk of driving drowsy. As part of the education effort, college students were invited to create a public service announcement (PSA) highlighting the dangers of drowsy driving. The three winning PSAs will be aired on social media and at Department of Motor Vehicle offices throughout the state and the students who produced those videos won cash prizes.
“Just like distraction and impairment, drowsiness or fatigue can negatively affect a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle,” NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder stated.
“Please don’t put your safety and that of others on the road in jeopardy. Make sure you get plenty of sleep before getting behind the wheel or, if you experience drowsiness while on the road, find a safe place to pull over and get some rest,” Schroeder explained.
“As daylight hours grow longer, we all must be aware of maintaining the proper sleep schedules and adequate rest that keeps us safely navigating roadways as drivers and pedestrians alike,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker remarked.
“New York’s Partnership Against Drowsy Driving” is an important annual reminder of the dangers of driving when sleep-deprived and New Yorkers are urged to watch for the warning signs that signal for them to pull over and take a break,” Zucker noted.
“With the time change, it’s important for motorists to be aware of the dangers of drowsy driving and the warning signs, so they can make safe decisions before they get on the road. We urge all motorists to make sure they get enough rest, and if they do not feel alert, to avoid driving until they are rested. Making safety a priority can save lives,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll commented.
“Safety is always the top priority of the Department of Transportation. This weekend’s time change can lead to disruptions in sleep schedules, so it’s important that all motorists be aware of the warning signs of drowsy driving and pull over if they do not feel alert. Safety is everyone’s responsibility,” State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez opined.
“Few people recognize the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while fatigued or sleep-deprived. It can be every bit as dangerous as driving while im
paired or distracted. We urge motorists to get plenty of rest before driving, and to recognize when they become fatigued while behind the wheel. The simple act of pulling off into a safe area for a period of rest can prevent a tragedy,” New York State Acting Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen added.
In 2020, according to statistics from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), “fatigue/drowsy driving” and/ or “driver fell asleep” were listed 3,654 times as contributing factors on police crash reports statewide. Of those, eight crashes resulted in at least one fatality and 1,391 crashes resulted in at least one injury.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 24 hours without sleep has similar effects on driving ability as 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 age 25 and younger.
While anyone can be at risk for drowsy driving, some groups have been identified as most 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; new parents or caregivers of infants and young children; young and newer drivers; and college and high school students.
“Young adults and college students are an at-risk population for drowsy driving, yet a great many do not perceive it as a danger relevant to them. We hope to change that perception, adding DROWSY as the fourth ‘D’ in the dangerous driving behaviors along with drunk, drugged, and distracted,” Lisa Endee, Clinical Associate Professor at Stony Brook University, said.
To raise awareness among the public, the New York State Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority kicked off a four-day campaign, during which, variable message signs along major roadways will tell motorists to “STAY AWAKE, STAY ALIVE.” NYPDD member agencies will also promote the safety message through social media and newsletters.
Sleepiness can slow a driver’s reaction time, impair vision and judgment, and delay the processing of information, increasing the odds of a crash. Motorists 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 SUNY Stony Brook School of Health Technology & Management’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.