Protecting Your Family on the Road Starts at Home with Healthy Sleep
From The National Sleep Foundation
Drowsy driving accounts for an estimated 1 in 5 fatal motor vehicle crashes on US roads, yet it rarely makes headlines the way drunk driving does. Additionally, 6 in 10 drivers have operated a vehicle when they were so tired they had trouble keeping their eyes open. That's over 150 million drivers who have put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk.
While we often associate drowsy driving with truck drivers or night-shift workers, parents represent a surprisingly vulnerable population. New parents experience significant sleep disruption which can lead to vehicle crashes. Even beyond the newborn phase, parents face ongoing sleep challenges. Whether drowsiness is caused by late shifts at work, school and sports pickup, or long drives for the holidays, the negative outcomes can be the same: car crashes.
Teenagers present another critical piece of the family drowsy driving equation. 1 in 6 teen drivers have gotten behind the wheel while drowsy in their first two years of driving. This combination is particularly dangerous: sleepy teens driving with limited skills and little experience pose a danger to themselves and others on the road.
Protecting your family from drowsy driving requires a shift in thinking. This isn't just about individual willpower or an extra cup of coffee. Instead, consider these evidence-based strategies:
For Parents:
Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
Before long trips, prioritize getting a good night’s sleep.
Share driving responsibilities when possible.
Consider alternatives to driving when sleep-deprived, just as you would after drinking.
For Teens:
To improve their chances for good sleep, establish and enforce regular bedtimes and limit electronic device use before bed. Teens should sleep between 8-10 hours a night.
Monitor and limit nighttime driving as your state's young driver licensing law requires.
Have honest conversations about drowsy driving being as dangerous as drunk driving.
Encourage your teen to be a model for good sleep and driving for their friends.
Every trip matters, whether it's the morning school run, the evening commute, or weekend family adventures. Before you turn that key, ask yourself: am I alert enough to help keep everyone in this car safe as well as everyone I'll encounter on the road?
The National Sleep Foundation holds Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® every year to raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving. NSF encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when alert and refreshed. For more information about drowsy driving and other sleep health tips, visit www.theNSF.org and follow NSF on Facebook: @NationalSleepFoundation and Instagram: @SleepFoundation.