Fatalities in car crashes are 10 times higher than previously estimated, according to a new study by the American Automobile Association.
As clocks spring forward for Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, the risk of drowsy driving crashes will also jump.
— an announcement from AAA Northeast
Research has found that crashes tend to increase in the days following the spring time change as drivers get behind the wheel while sleep-deprived and with their circadian rhythms out of whack.
Previous AAA studies have outlined the risks associated with drowsy driving: drivers who slept for less than five hours the night before may have a crash risk comparable to driving drunk, and losing just a couple hours of sleep can double the risk of a crash.
Official statistics on the prevalence of drowsy driving have long been underestimated, since most drivers don’t admit to being drowsy after a collision. Now, new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows just how underreported these crashes are. According to the study, AAA estimates that drowsy driving is a factor in 10 times as many traffic fatalities as traditional crash data indicates.
Photo from AAA
AAA recommends: Don’t just rely on your body to provide warning signs of drowsiness. Instead, prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep before hitting the road and plan to take breaks during a long road trip.
The study, based on in-depth crash investigations and national fatal crash data, estimates that 18 percent of traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021 involved a tired driver. A total of nearly 30,000 people died in those crashes. In 2021 alone, an estimated 6,725 people were killed in drowsy driving crashes — far higher than the 684 deaths reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In Connecticut, since 2021, there have been over 3,800 crashes in which fatigue, drowsiness or a driver falling asleep was a contributing factor, according to state crash data. That number likely also understates the extent of the problem.
“We’ve long known that drowsy driving crashes are underreported, but learning just how common they are is alarming,” said Alec Slatky, Managing Director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast.
“This new research is a wake-up-call and highlights sleep deprivation as a major traffic safety and public health concern. As Americans move their clocks ahead by one hour this weekend, they need to remember to monitor their sleep schedule to prevent drowsiness on the road. Remember, the only substitute for a lack of sleep is sleep.”
Image from the AAA
More advice from AAA: Travel at times of the day when you are normally awake. Avoid driving after consuming medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment Avoid heavy foods, which can make you feel tired and sluggish.
While 95 percent of drivers surveyed by AAA perceive drowsy driving to be very or extremely dangerous, 18 percent reported having engaged in the behavior in the past 30 days.
In the bustle of modern life, many families forego sleep to meet their work, school and social obligations. And additional AAA research has found that drivers consistently underestimate how drowsy they are behind the wheel. Tragically, losing sleep is also causing loss of life on our roadways.
What You Can Do
AAA has these tips to reduce the risk being involved in a drowsy driving crash:
- Don’t just rely on your body to provide warning signs of drowsiness. Instead, prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep before hitting the road and plan to take breaks during a long road trip.
- Travel at times of the day when you are normally awake.
- Avoid driving after consuming medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment
- Avoid heavy foods, which can make you feel tired and sluggish.
- Travel with an alert passenger.