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DMV offers tips to avoid fatigued driving ahead of daylight saving time


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Effort is part of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

LAKEWOOD, Saturday Nov. 5, 2022 -- With Daylight Saving Time happening this Sunday, many Coloradans are at risk of driving fatigued or drowsy. In 2020 alone, 633 people died from drowsy-driving-related crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.

But, there are steps motorists can take to make Monday’s commute safer for all Coloradans.

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles encourages drivers to take extra care during this time of change and hopes to raise awareness of fatigued driving during Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.

The DMV is proud to participate in the prevention week, which is from Nov. 6 to 13 and is hosted by the National Sleep Foundation. The Division hopes to help reduce the number of drivers who drive while sleep deprived, making driving safer.

“In today’s world, we are constantly on the go and the risk of drowsy driving is greater than ever before. The DMV always wants to empower Coloradans through choice and part of that is empowering them to make an informed decision about when it’s OK to drive and take the necessary precautions to avoid putting yourself and others in danger,” DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle said. “We hope people put these tips to good use and help make our roads safer for all.”

Before driving or when planning a road trip, please consider the following information:

Eight drowsy driving warning signs to watch for:

  • Finding it hard to focus on the road, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids
  • Starting to daydream, wandering eyes and having disconnected thoughts
  • Having trouble remembering the last few miles driven 
  • Missing an exit or ignoring traffic signs
  • Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes
  • Finding it hard to keep your head up or nodding off
  • Drifting from your lane, tailgating or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
  • Feeling restless and irritable or becoming aggravated with common annoyances such as sitting in traffic.

Before getting into the car with someone or driving yourself, ask the following:

  • Are you sleep-deprived or fatigued? Are you suffering regularly from sleep problems? Less than 6 hours of sleep triples your risk of falling asleep while driving, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
  • Are you planning to drive long distances without proper rest breaks?
  • Will you be driving through the night, mid-afternoon or when you would normally be asleep?
  • Are you taking medications that can make you sleepy such as antidepressants, cold tablets or antihistamines?
  • Have you been working over 60 hours a week? A tightly packed work schedule increases your risk of drowsy driving by 40%, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
  • Have you been working more than one job and your main job involves shift work?
  • Did you drink alcohol? Even a small amount of alcohol can have an impact on your body.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, specific at-risk groups for driving sleep-deprived include:

  • Young drivers — especially males under 25 years old.
  • Shift workers and people with long work hours — working the night shift can increase your risk of drowsy driving by nearly six times. Rotating-shift workers and people working more than 60 hours a week need to be particularly careful.
  • Commercial drivers — especially long-haul drivers. At least 15% of all heavy truck crashes involve fatigue and sleep-deprived driving.
  • People with undiagnosed or untreated disorders — People with untreated obstructive sleep apnea have up to seven times the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
  • Business travelers — who spend long hours driving or may be jet-lagged from a previous trip.

Helpful tips for driving, include:

  • Planning your trip ahead of time.
  • If it is a long-distance trip, ask a friend to join you so they can help drive and monitor for signs of drowsy driving.
  • If you feel tired, drowsy or notice any of the signs above, pull over and get some rest and only continue driving when alert.
     

The DMV will also share tips on Facebook and Twitter throughout the week to help inform motorists about the dangers of drowsy driving.

For more information on Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, visit www.thensf.org/drowsy-driving-prevention.

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