Drowsy Driving Statistics

Drowsy driving kills, and statistics show that the problem is likely far worse than previously believed.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 684 fatalities in drowsy driving accidents in the United States in 2021, but this may be significantly underestimated. The agency’s Drowsy Driving Research and Program Plan places estimates much higher, at 2-20% of traffic fatalities. A study sponsored by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, using data from 2017-2021, found that 17.6% of all fatal crashes involved a drowsy driver. This would mean that the number of traffic deaths related to drowsy driving in 2021 might actually be as high as 8,500.

Instead of annual drowsy driving deaths being in the hundreds, they are likely in the thousands.

Why are drowsy driving accidents underreported? NHTSA statistics rely on police reports and hospital records to determine what caused a collision. Drowsy driving can be difficult to prove, and some drivers may be reluctant to admit that they were driving in this state when an accident occurred.

How Common Is Drowsy Driving?

Some people are more prone to drowsy driving than others, such as:

• Commercial drivers
• Drivers who work late-night shifts
• Drivers with untreated sleep disorders, like sleep apnea
• Drivers on medication
• People who are regularly sleep-deprived, like new parents

In a 2021 survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 19% of respondents admitted to getting behind the wheel while “very drowsy” at least once in the previous 30 days.

According to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 25 drivers across 19 states and the District of Columbia reported falling asleep at the wheel within the previous 30 days. This is a shocking number on its own, but many more drivers admit that they have gotten behind the wheel while fatigued or sleep-deprived.

About 60% of drivers admit to driving while feeling sleepy, and 40% admitted to nodding off or falling asleep in the past year, according to polls by the National Sleep Foundation and others.

How Are Drivers Affected by Drowsy Driving?

When a person is tired, they can be affected in a few different ways. For drivers, this can have disastrous consequences.

Drivers are affected by drowsy driving because:

• Their reaction time may be delayed
• Their ability to keep their attention on the road, vehicles, or objects may be inhibited
• Their visual and mental awareness of potential hazards may be affected

A car accident can happen in a split second. It only takes a moment of inattention or a slightly delayed reaction to cause a collision or put a driver in a situation where they cannot deal with a hazard on the road, like an animal or slowed/stopped traffic. Driving is a task that requires one's full mental and physical attention. This is true even if you've driven on that same road 100 times before, even when there's no traffic, and even when the weather is clear.

All drivers are affected by drowsy driving, regardless of their age or experience level.

Drowsy Driving vs Drunk Driving

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that driving while tired is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, affecting reaction time, awareness, and attention. According to the NSC, tired drivers are three times more likely to be involved in accidents.

Lack of sleep can mimic the effects of alcohol, according to several studies. The CDC reports:

• Being awake for 17 hours straight is similar to having a BAC of .05%.
• Being awake for 24 hours straight is similar to having a BAC of .10%.

For reference, it is illegal for a person to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .08% or greater. A driver’s abilities are generally considered impaired if they have a BAC of .05% or greater, though this may vary from person to person.

Texas Leads the Nation in Drowsy Driving Accidents

According to one report, the state of Texas leads the nation in fatal accidents caused by drowsy driving.

The Amerisleep report used data collected from the NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Known as FARS, this system provides nationwide data for fatal car accident information. It was designed to improve highway safety by increasing awareness of fatal accident causes.

Amerisleep found one piece of data that Texas drivers should be concerned about: Texas was the location of 22.1% of drowsy driving fatalities in 2016. This means that 1 in 5 drowsing driving fatalities occur in Texas.

Texas doesn’t just have the most fatal accidents caused by drowsy driving—it leads the nation by a considerable margin. The state with the closest amount of deadly accidents is Alabama, at 6%.

Drowsy Driving & Commercial Vehicles

As with any driving hazard, drowsy driving is particularly dangerous when a commercial vehicle is involved. According to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, 10-20% of large truck or bus collisions involve a tired driver.

With pressures to make deadlines and pay-by-mile wages, drivers of tractor-trailers, tankers, and other large trucks may be more likely to get behind the wheel while tired, putting themselves and everyone on the road at risk because the companies they drive for are more interested in profits than safety.

Three Key Factors Associated with Drowsy Driving Crashes

According to the NHTSA's report on drowsy driving, there were three factors frequently associated with accidents of this kind:

• Most drowsy driving accidents happen between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the late afternoon. These are the times of day when most people experience drops in their circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that regulates one's internal clock, including sleep.
• The majority of accidents involving tired drivers only involve one vehicle, one driver, and no passengers. Most occur when vehicles run off the road, showing no signs of attempted braking or other evasive maneuvers.
• Rural roads and highways are the most frequent locations of drowsy driving accidents in the U.S.

Addressing the Issue of Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving accidents cost society an estimated $109 billion every year (excluding property damage), according to NHTSA data. They cost individuals and families far more in catastrophic injuries and lost lives.

Drowsy driving is preventable, and the responsibility for preventing these accidents extends beyond individual drivers. In industries such as transportation and logistics, where long hours on the road are common, companies must foster a culture that encourages safety over productivity. Providing education about the dangers of drowsy driving and offering resources for employees to manage fatigue can make a significant difference. Employers should also support regular medical check-ups for drivers to identify and treat sleep disorders like sleep apnea, which can severely impact alertness.

Government regulations and industry standards must be enforced to limit driving hours and mandate rest breaks. Companies should ensure compliance with these regulations and consider incorporating technology that monitors driver fatigue and alerts them when rest is needed. Recognizing the symptoms of drowsiness, such as excessive yawning, frequent blinking, and heavy eyelids, is vital for everyone involved in road safety. Employers and policy-makers should support initiatives and technologies that help detect these signs early, preventing accidents before they occur.

A second is all it takes to lose control, drive off the road, or crash. By prioritizing rest and recognizing the signs of fatigue, we can work together to reduce the devastating impact of drowsy driving.