MENU
SEARCHA new survey from the National Sleep Foundation explores Americans’ sleep habits in relation to driving.
A new survey finds that all too often too many Americans are too tired to drive.
Photo: pexels.com/Sinitta Leunen
Over 6 in 10 U.S. drivers — or 150 million motorists — admit to having driven a car when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open, according to a recent survey from the National Sleep Foundation.
Drowsy driving is impaired driving, and it remains one of the biggest hazards on our nation’s roadways. In fact, the survey found that while 95% of Americans believe drowsy driving is risky, more than 37 million motorists are estimated to drive drowsy once a year or more.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Americans tend to underestimate the importance of adequate sleep. For example, approximately 20% of drivers are overly confident in their ability to drive after sleeping only two hours or less the previous night. Yet, the National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
On the upside, the survey found that drivers who do get the recommended amount of sleep are less likely to drive drowsy than those that don't.
The bottom line: Drowsy driving is risky driving. It endangers everyone. In 2020 alone, 633 people lost their lives in drowsy-driving related collisions in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
