BOISE, Idaho — Daylight saving time is around the corner, springing us forward an hour. With the inevitable change in sleep schedules, drowsy driving becomes a concern.
According to an AAA report, an estimate 18% of traffic deaths between 2017 and 2021 involved a drowsy driver, resulting in nearly 30,000 deaths across the country.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) reported that in 2022, roughly 5% of all single vehicle crashes in Idaho involved a drowsy driver, resulting in an estimated 625 crashes in 2023. That's about 200 more than the previous year.
"Even in a small group of people, it doesn't take long to find someone who is suffering from a sleep deficit, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that 35% of Americans are getting less than the recommended minimum of seven hours of rest each day," AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said. "With the switch to Daylight Saving Time on March 10, there's no better time to improve our sleeping habits to make the roads safer."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the impact of drowsy driving is underestimated due to the lack of reporting tools.
- Drowsy driving can impair drivers in several ways, according to AAA:
- Reduced alertness and delayed reaction time
- Impaired judgement
- Microsleeps/Momentary lapses in consciousness
"Lack of sleep is impairing for all the reasons we've mentioned. But another thing to look out for is aggression. When we're tired, we tend to get impatient with people around us, which can lead to hostile words and gestures, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and other dangerous activities," Conde said.
AAA also provided safety tips for those driving in daylight saving time:
- Get at least seven hours of sleep per night
- Make sure your bedroom is conductive to sleep
- Consider the effect that screen time may have on your ability to sleep
- Travel at times of the day when you're normally awake
- Take breaks every two hours, or 100 miles
- Listen to your body
- Scan the roads for obstacles, pedestrians bicyclists
"Coffee, the radio, and cold air on your face are temporary solutions at best," Conde said. "You owe it to yourself and everyone around you to know when enough is enough. It takes a lot of wisdom and self-discipline to take yourself off the road when you're tired, but it may be one of the best decisions you'll ever make."
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
