Long holiday drives, late nights and early departures are a recipe for drowsy driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy-driving crashes killed 644 people in 2024, and NHTSA notes the true number is likely much higher. Here’s how to spot the danger and stay alert.
How Fast It Happens
A “micro-sleep” of just 4 or 5 seconds at 55 mph means traveling more than 100 yards with no one in control of the car.
Warning Signs You’re Too Tired to Drive
- Yawning or blinking a lot, or heavy eyelids
- Drifting out of your lane or hitting rumble strips
- Missing your exit or not remembering the last few miles
Drowsy-driving crashes most often happen between midnight and 6 a.m. and in the late afternoon, when the body naturally feels sleepier.
Before the Trip
- Get a full night’s sleep. NHTSA recommends 7 to 8 hours for adults.
- Don’t drink alcohol before driving. It makes drowsiness much worse, and impaired driving is illegal.
- Check medication labels for warnings about drowsiness.
- Plan to share the driving and schedule rest stops.
On the Road
- Caffeine helps only a little, and only for a short time.
- If you feel sleepy, NHTSA suggests having 1 to 2 cups of coffee and then taking a 20-minute nap in a safe place, like a rest stop.
- Opening the window or turning up the radio doesn’t fix tiredness.
Plan for the Holiday Parties Too
If you’ll be drinking at a holiday party, plan a sober ride home before you go: a designated driver, a rideshare or a taxi.
The Bottom Line
Sleep before you drive, share the wheel, and pull over for a coffee and a short nap if you feel drowsy. Getting there a little later is always better than not getting there.
Official sources