This past weekend, drivers lost one hour of sleep, causing many to hit the roads today feeling a bit drowsy. A new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, shows that driving during Daylight Saving Time can have a significant impact on road fatalities. 

A study published in Current Biology found a 6 percent increase in fatal-accident risk in the U.S. following Daylight Saving Time.

The time change forces many drivers to head out on the roads while it is still dark. New data shows that, 17.6 percent of all fatal crashes in the years 2017 to 2021 involved a drowsy driver. During that same period, more than 29,800 drivers were killed because of drowsy driving. 

The AAA study also found that driving while drowsy was a factor in 10 times as many traffic fatalities as traditional crashes. 

Experts at AAA note that drowsy driving can have a significant impact on response times due to reduced alertness. The organization recommends drivers get at least seven hours of sleep to maintain alertness. 

The report found that men were significantly more likely than women to be drowsy and accounted for most drowsy drivers involved in fatal crashes. The greatest number of fatal drowsy driving crashes occurred between 11:00 p.m. and 2:59 a.m., while the percentage of drivers who were drowsy was highest among those who crashed between the hours of 3:00 and 6:59 a.m. 

Additionally, the AAA warns that drivers who are drowsy can have the same reduced judgment as someone who drives while impaired. Driving drowsy can cause microsleeps, or momentary lapses in consciousness, which can cause drivers to lose control of the vehicle. 

The AAA offered several recommendations for drivers to ensure that the time change does not have an impact on their driving. 

● Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.

● Travel at times of the day when you are normally awake. 

● Avoid driving when you are tired or sleepy.

● Take breaks every two hours or 100 miles. 

● Avoid heavy meals before driving.
 
● Avoid alcohol and drugs. 

● Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving. 

The AAA recommends taking a 20- to 30-minute nap whenever possible to help improve alertness.