Drowsy Driving Prevention Week: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is observed on November 6th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you might want to know about Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.

📅 What day is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week 2024?

In 2024, Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is on Monday, November 6th. It is the 1st Monday in November; in 2024, it is Wednesday. There are until the next observance. You also can learn all the fun details and facts about November 6, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, taking place from November 6 to November 12 this year, aims to bring attention to the issue of drowsy driving and find ways to prevent the numerous accidents and fatalities it causes in the United States. This week-long event has been observed every year since 2008 as a means of raising awareness about this often neglected problem.

📜 Drowsy Driving Prevention Week History

The National Sleep Foundation holds Drowsy Driving Prevention Week every year in November to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while tired. A poll conducted by the foundation found that more than half of American adults admitted to driving drowsily regularly, while only 20% reported falling asleep at the wheel in the previous year. This highlights the urgent need for public education on the issue. The foundation identifies young people aged 16 to 25, shift workers, commercial drivers, individuals with untreated sleep disorders, and business travelers as being at highest risk for drowsy driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving accidents result in over $12.5 billion in damages, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 deaths annually. The NHTSA, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), estimates that most sleep-related accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m., as well as in the late afternoon. Teenage drivers alone cause around 100,000 police-reported accidents each year due to drowsy driving.

In the United States, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who are proven to be sleepy or unwell during an accident can receive Uniform Commercial Citations. These citations apply to drivers of commercial buses carrying more than 15 people or trucks transporting goods or hazardous materials. These drivers must adhere to federal and state sleep regulations to ensure the safety of the roads.

✅ Drowsy Driving Prevention Week Facts

🔖 The 13th leading factor in fatal crashes
Based on the latest information from NHTSA, drowsy driving is responsible for 2.4% of fatal accidents in the US, resulting in 1,221 incidents.

🔖 Prescribed drugs are a threat
The use of antihistamines and certain prescribed medications can induce drowsiness, which can be equivalent to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

🔖 Enough sleep is the answer
Sleep is the only true substitute, therefore, if you find yourself unable to stay alert while driving, it is crucial to find a safe spot to pull over until you have had enough rest. Failing to do so will result in accumulating sleep deficits over time.

👍 Why Is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week Important

The hazards of driving when fatigued are one of the main reasons we commemorate Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Each year, approximately 100,000 people are killed in collisions due to sleepy driving in the United States. More awareness prompts individuals to take further safeguards.
This week-long holiday educates individuals on how to deal with fatigue safely. Verifiable information will be more widely available, and the public will be reminded to seek medical help if they suffer from a sleep disorder.
Workplace stress is a key contributor to sleep deficits. Late-night and third-shift employees are affected by the natural release of melatonin during the night as they travel home after a long shift. Sleep habits are also affected by a busy social lifestyle. This holiday serves as a reminder to the public of some of the far-reaching consequences of such imbalances.

🙂 How To Observe Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

⚡ Champion the cause
During Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, take on the role of an accident prevention advocate. Share your knowledge and raise awareness among fellow drivers. Utilize social media and the hashtag #sleepfirst to promote the importance of choosing sleep over getting behind the wheel.

⚡ Don’t drive drowsy
It is strongly advised not to try it. Driving while drowsy can have severe consequences, potentially causing fatal accidents and harming not only the driver but also passengers and other individuals sharing the road.

⚡ Understand the danger
In recognition of Sleepy Driving Prevention Week, take a moment to reflect on the potential outcomes of driving while tired and explore ways to avoid them. Educate yourself about measures for ensuring road safety and consider additional recommendations.

📅 When is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week?

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