As we work to be safer on the roads, the Utah Department of Public Safety reminds us that drowsy driving kills and is very preventable. In 2021, there were 684 deaths that resulted from drowsy driving related crashes. These crashes occur most frequently between midnight and 6am or in the late afternoon. At both times of the day, people experience dips in their circadian rhythm—the human body’s internal clock that regulates sleep. They often involve only a single driver running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking. Crashes frequently occur on rural roads and highways. Getting adequate sleep on a daily basis is the only true way to protect yourself against the risks of driving when you’re drowsy. Experts urge consumers to make it a priority to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Always check your prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness could result from their use. If you take medications that could cause drowsiness as a side effect, use public transportation when possible.
