When clocks spring forward this Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2 a.m., New Yorkers gain an extra hour of evening sunlight but lose an hour of sleep. That small change can have big consequences on the road. The New York State Partnership Against Drowsy Driving is issuing an urgent reminder: losing even one hour of sleep can significantly increase your risk of a serious crash.

At Crestwood General, we believe that clear health and safety information helps people make smarter choices. This article explains why drowsy driving is dangerous, who is most at risk, and what you can do to stay safe on the road.

Why the Time Change Matters for Drivers

Daylight Saving Time shifts our schedules, but our bodies do not always adjust immediately. The resulting sleep disruption can lead to fatigue, slower reaction times, and impaired judgment behind the wheel.

Research from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows that going 24 hours without sleep affects driving ability similarly to having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 percent, which is above the legal limit in New York State. Even losing just one hour of sleep can reduce alertness and increase crash risk.

"Drowsiness or fatigue can impair a driver's judgment and slow their reaction time just like alcohol and drugs, increasing the odds of a crash," said Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. "Drowsy drivers can also experience micro-sleep, which are short, involuntary periods of inattention. At highway speeds, just a few seconds without your eyes on the road can have tragic consequences."

The Scope of the Problem: Drowsy Driving by the Numbers

Preliminary statistics from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research reveal the real-world impact of drowsy driving in New York:

In the past year, 3,058 police-reported crashes involved fatigue, drowsy driving, or a driver falling asleep as contributing factors
Five of these crashes resulted in at least one fatality
1,619 crashes involved at least one injury

Nationwide, the Governors Highway Safety Association estimates that drowsy driving contributes to approximately 328,000 crashes annually. More than half of these involve drivers age 25 and younger.

"As we prepare to set our clocks forward, we must also prioritize our health and safety on the road," said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. "Even a small loss of sleep can impair reaction time, judgment and alertness. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. I urge all New Yorkers to get adequate rest, recognize the warning signs of fatigue and to pull over if they feel tired. Staying well-rested prevents tragedies and helps ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely."

For more information on traffic safety and impaired driving, visit the CDC Motor Vehicle Safety page.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While any driver can experience drowsiness, certain groups face higher risks:

Young Drivers

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 71 percent of drivers ages 18 to 29 report driving while drowsy, the highest rate among all age groups. Young drivers may have irregular sleep schedules, heavy academic or work demands, and less experience recognizing fatigue.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

Truck drivers and other commercial operators often work long hours, tight schedules, and overnight shifts. While federal regulations limit driving time, the pressure to meet deadlines can lead to fatigue.

Shift Workers and Caregivers

People who work late-night shifts, rotating schedules, or care for infants and young children may accumulate sleep debt that affects driving safety.

Individuals with Sleep Disorders

Conditions like sleep apnea, insomnia, or narcolepsy can cause excessive daytime sleepiness even when a person believes they are getting adequate rest.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving

Knowing when you are too tired to drive safely can save lives. Warning signs include:

Frequent yawning or inability to keep your eyes open
Difficulty focusing, blurred vision, or heavy eyelids
Missing exits, traffic signs, or turns
Drifting from your lane or hitting rumble strips
Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
Feeling restless, irritable, or having trouble staying in your lane

If you experience any of these signs, do not push through. Pull over in a safe location and rest.

Prevention Strategies That Work

The safest approach to drowsy driving is prevention. Before you get behind the wheel:

Get adequate sleep. Most adults need seven to nine hours per night
Plan long trips with rest breaks every two hours or 100 miles
Avoid driving during your body's natural sleep hours, typically midnight to 6 a.m.
Do not rely on quick fixes like opening a window, turning up the radio, or drinking caffeine. These may provide temporary alertness but do not replace actual rest
If you take medications that cause drowsiness, avoid driving or consult your healthcare provider about timing

"If you feel drowsy, your driving will be lousy, and falling asleep while operating a vehicle has the potential to change your life and the lives of others on the road, permanently," said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez.

New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare added, "Drowsy driving is impaired driving. It slows reaction time, impacts judgment and decreases alertness. Just one moment of inattention can have deadly consequences. We urge motorists to make safety a priority and wait to travel until they are fully rested. If someone feels tired while driving, they should take a break at one of our 27 service areas or exit the Thruway before getting back on the road."

Education and Outreach: Reaching High-Risk Groups

The New York State Partnership Against Drowsy Driving is launching targeted campaigns to raise awareness among those most vulnerable to drowsy driving.

College Student Initiative

Since young drivers face the highest risk, the partnership is focusing outreach on college campuses statewide. The New York State Department of Health has launched social media campaigns including "Don't Drive Drowsy" for college students and "Stay Awake Save a Life" for commercial drivers.

Additionally, the partnership and New York Students Against Destructive Decisions are sponsoring a "Stay Awake! Stay Alive!" Public Service Announcement Challenge. Students at 24 colleges can create 25-second videos about drowsy driving risks, competing for cash awards. Winning entries are displayed in DMV offices and Thruway rest areas to amplify the message.

Learn more about the campaign at the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Drowsy Driving page.

Commercial Driver Training

To support commercial motor vehicle operators, the Department of Health partnered with the Trucking Association of New York to develop training tools. These resources, including a 30-second video, help drivers recognize fatigue warning signs and adopt safer practices. Given that commercial vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, preventing crashes involving these vehicles protects everyone on the road.

Public Awareness Campaign

From March 6 through March 9, variable message signs along major New York roadways will display the message "STAY AWAKE, STAY ALIVE" to remind motorists of the dangers of drowsy driving during the Daylight Saving Time transition.

The Science Behind Sleep and Safety

Sleep is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity. During sleep, the brain consolidates memories, repairs tissues, and restores cognitive function. When sleep is disrupted or insufficient:

Reaction time slows, making it harder to respond to sudden hazards
Judgment becomes impaired, leading to riskier decisions
Attention and focus decline, increasing the chance of missing critical information
Mood and emotional regulation suffer, which can affect driving behavior

"Sufficient and good quality sleep is essential to all aspects of health and safety," said Lisa M. Endee, Clinical Associate Professor at Stony Brook University. "Sleep loss associated with daylight saving time increases daytime sleepiness and the risk of experiencing drowsy driving, a serious impairment that jeopardizes both individual and public safety."

Stony Brook University's StopDrowsyDriving.org offers interactive educational resources to help individuals understand and prevent drowsy driving.

What to Do If You Feel Drowsy While Driving

If fatigue strikes while you are on the road:

Pull over immediately in a safe location, such as a rest area, parking lot, or well-lit side street
Take a short nap of 15 to 20 minutes to restore alertness
If possible, switch drivers with a rested passenger
Avoid relying on caffeine or other stimulants as a long-term solution; they wear off and can lead to a crash when alertness drops suddenly
If you are on a long trip, consider stopping for the night rather than pushing through exhaustion

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James emphasized, "Many people are aware that speeding, distracted and impaired driving are dangerous behaviors with life-altering consequences. Few people realize the same risks are associated with operating a vehicle while tired or fatigued. Drowsy driving causes needless injuries and deaths each year and it's important to know the signs."

Resources for More Information

The Bottom Line

Drowsy driving is preventable. By understanding the risks, recognizing warning signs, and planning ahead, you can protect yourself and others on the road.

Key takeaways:
- Losing even one hour of sleep during Daylight Saving Time can increase crash risk
- Drowsy driving impairs judgment and reaction time similarly to alcohol
- Young drivers, commercial operators, shift workers, and caregivers face higher risks
- Warning signs include yawning, lane drifting, and trouble focusing
- The safest response to fatigue is to pull over and rest, not to push through
- Education campaigns and training resources are available to help high-risk groups stay safe

"Daylight Saving Time is a powerful reminder that even one hour of lost sleep can have serious consequences behind the wheel," said Hannah West, New York State Coordinator for Students Against Destructive Decisions. "Through our 'Stay Awake! Stay Alive!' campaign, we're empowering students to use their voices to educate their peers and help prevent tragedies before they happen."

Your safety and the safety of others on the road depend on being alert and rested. Before you drive, ask yourself: Am I well-rested enough to handle unexpected situations? If the answer is no, wait until you are.

For more practical health and safety guides, secure medical documentation services, or wellness resources, visit Crestwood General. Because when communities prioritize rest, awareness, and responsible driving, everyone arrives home safely.