PennDOT, Safety Partners Highlight Dangers of Drowsy Driving

In advance of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Highway Safety Network are reminding motorists of the importance of getting enough rest before getting behind the wheel.

Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 3, 2024, and all clocks will be set back by one hour. The time change can potentially affect an individual's sleep cycle and increase the likelihood of feeling drowsy or falling asleep while driving.

"The effects of fatigue can be very dangerous for motorists and often times mimic those of drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol," said Josh Woods, a Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with the Highway Safety Network.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says research shows being awake for 18 consecutive hours impairs a driver as much as a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent, while being awake for 24 consecutive hours is the equivalent to a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent.

Fatigue can negatively affect a driver's reaction time, judgment, attention, and vision, while also making it more difficult to understand and remember things.

According to PennDOT data, there were 2,714 crashes in Pennsylvania in 2023 involving a drowsy or asleep driver, resulting in 11 fatalities. Of those crashes, 128 of them were recorded in PennDOT's District 1, which includes Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says drowsy-driving crashes most commonly occur between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM, or late in the afternoon. During both times of the day, people experience dips in the human body's internal clock that regulates sleep.

PennDOT recommends the following tips to avoid drowsy driving:

• Get adequate sleep on a daily basis. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep to maintain proper alertness.

• Schedule proper breaks during long trips - approximately every 100 miles or two hours.

• Arrange for a travel companion and share driving responsibilities.

• Check prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness is a side effect.

• Use public transportation, when possible.

• Avoid driving during peak sleepiness periods. If you must drive during these times, be aware of signs of drowsiness, such as crossing over the roadway lines or hitting a rumble strip.

For more information on drowsy driving, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District1.

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