AAA report: Road deaths increase due to drowsy driving

Courtney Fromm
·2 min read

DENVER (KDVR) – AAA released new data this week showing that roads are seeing increased deaths due to driving drowsy.

With daylight saving time starting this upcoming Sunday, that will mean darker mornings and loss of sleep, which can create dangerous issues on the road.

“18% of all traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021, accounting for nearly 30,000 deaths,” AAA said in a press release Sunday, adding: “6,725 estimated deaths in 2021 alone.”

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Effects of drowsy driving

Drowsy driving is a factor in roughly 10 times as many traffic fatalities as traditional crash data, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Drowsiness impairs drivers in a variety of different ways, according to AAA:

  • Reduced alertness: Makes it harder to react quickly to hazards. Just one hour less than the expert-recommended minimum of 7 hours of sleep increases a driver’s risk of crashing.

  • Impaired judgment: Increases the risk of making poor decisions on the road. Sleep deprivation increases a driver’s risk of making many ordinary mistakes, leading to crashes. Those deprived of sleep by 4+ hours suffer impairment similar to those over the legal BAC limit.

  • Hazardous Microsleeps: Can cause momentary lapses in consciousness, leading to loss of control of the vehicle and failure to respond to dangers on the road.

  • Self-Perception of Drowsiness: Previous Foundation research found that drivers often underestimate their drowsiness, putting themselves and others at risk.

Warning signs of drowsy driving

There are people more at risk of drowsy driving including teens and young adult drivers, drivers on the road between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the later afternoon, drivers who don’t get enough sleep, commercial truck drivers, drivers who work the night shift or long shifts, drivers with untreated sleep disorders and drivers who use medicines that make them drowsy.

According to AAA, there are warning signs of drowsy driving:

  • Frequent yawning or blinking

  • Trouble remembering the past few miles driven

  • Missing your exit

  • Drifting from your lane

  • Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road

AAA said that it’s best to get enough sleep before you drive, don’t eat large meals before driving, travel during times you are normally awake, listen to your body and don’t underestimate the power of a quick nap.

“This study should be a wake-up call for drivers: Drowsy driving is often deadly,” said AAA. “Whether you’re driving to work or taking the family on a road trip, stay alert – or get off the road.”

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