Drowsy driving is a serious, preventable risk that endangers not only the driver but also others on the road. For shift workers, long hours, night shifts, and overtime increase the likelihood of fatigue, making the commute home particularly dangerous. Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (the first week in November) is an ideal time for organizations to take a closer look at what they're doing to prevent drowsy driving and keep their employees safe. Below, we explore the dangers of drowsy driving and the actions employers can take to reduce the risks.

Why Drowsy Driving Is a Serious Risk

Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In fact, research reveals that:

• Drowsy drivers are three times more likely to cause accidents than well-rested drivers.
• Up to 20% of all motor vehicle crashes and about 6,400 deaths annually in the U.S. are attributed to drowsy driving.
• Employers bear a significant financial burden from these accidents, with costs including workers’ compensation claims, medical expenses, lost productivity, and insurance premiums.

For shift workers, the danger of drowsy driving is heightened after late-night, long, or overtime shifts. Even beyond night shift workers, employees in sectors like transportation, mining, and airline ground operations are all vulnerable to the risks associated with fatigue-induced driving accidents.

Drowsy Driving Risk Factors for Shift Workers

There are three key risk factors that significantly contribute to drowsy driving, especially for shift workers:

1 - Insufficient Sleep

More than 35% of Americans don’t get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night. This chronic sleep deprivation is a major contributor to drowsy driving. Night shift workers, in particular, often get less sleep than those working traditional hours, while workers on double shifts or extended overtime also experience reduced opportunities for rest.

2 - Extended Time Awake

The longer you’re awake, the greater the risk of becoming fatigued. Being awake for around 16 hours leads to neurocognitive impairments similar to having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%, which is just under the legal limit for drunk driving in many countries. Shift workers who wake up late in the afternoon, work a night shift, and then drive home after being awake for 18+ hours are at a significantly higher risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

3 - Circadian Rhythms

Our bodies naturally experience dips in alertness at certain times of day. The most significant period of sleepiness occurs between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM, which is when most fatigue-related accidents happen. For shift workers, these natural sleep-wake cycles can make staying alert, particularly after a long shift, incredibly challenging.

Drowsy Driving: Preventable, But Often Overlooked

While the risks of drowsy driving are well-known, the behavior remains a pervasive issue on the roads. In fact, two-thirds of U.S. drivers admit to driving while fatigued, with many confessing to struggling to keep their eyes open at the wheel. For employers, the safety of employees commuting home after long shifts is a critical concern. 

What Can Employers Do to Prevent Drowsy Driving?

Employers play a crucial role in mitigating the risk of drowsy driving among their workforce, especially in industries where employees are frequently driving while working or after working long hours or night shifts. Here are key actions organizations can take:

1 - Implement Sleep and Fatigue Management Training

Offering sleep and fatigue management training is one of the most effective ways to help employees understand the importance of sleep and how to manage fatigue. Providing training on topics like good sleep hygiene, sleep optimization, and fatigue detection can empower employees to take responsibility for their rest. The goal is to teach workers how to recognize the signs of drowsiness and take preventative measures before getting behind the wheel.

2 - Promote a Culture That Prioritizes Sleep

Creating a fatigue risk management system that emphasizes the importance of adequate rest can reduce the risk of drowsy driving. Encourage policies that limit overtime and provide clear guidelines on work-hour limits and mandatory rest periods. A culture that prioritizes sleep not only helps reduce fatigue-related accidents but also empowers employees to communicate openly when they feel too fatigued to safely operate a vehicle.

3 - Offer Transportation Alternatives

Offering alternative transportation options can help keep employees safe after late shifts. This can include:

• Ride-sharing programs that offer employees transportation home.
• Shuttle services to provide a safe, drowsiness-free way for employees to get home.
• Carpooling platforms to help employees organize shared rides with colleagues who live nearby.

These alternatives can reduce the number of fatigued workers driving home after a shift, thereby minimizing the risk of drowsy driving incidents:

1 - Implement Flexible Scheduling

Offering flexible scheduling can help shift workers better manage their time and reduce their overall fatigue. For example, consider introducing shorter shifts, rotating shifts more gradually, or offering more frequent breaks during long shifts. By helping employees avoid prolonged periods of wakefulness, employers can mitigate some of the risks associated with drowsy driving.

2 - Monitor Employee Fatigue Levels

Establish systems for monitoring fatigue levels within your workforce. Fatigue monitoring technologies that track sleep patterns and alertness or impairment detection tools can be useful in high-risk industries like transportation, mining, and healthcare. Additionally, creating a culture where employees feel comfortable self-reporting fatigue can further enhance safety.

3 - Promote Public Awareness

Encourage employees to recognize the risks of drowsy driving not only on their commute but also on the job. Employers can help raise awareness by distributing educational materials about the dangers of drowsy driving, signs of fatigue, and safety tips for employees who need to commute after a long shift.

The Bottom Line: Protecting Employees, Reducing Risks

The impact of drowsy driving is significant, both in terms of human lives and financial costs to businesses. Fortunately, drowsy driving is a preventable safety risk. By investing in education, fatigue management, and employee support systems, companies can protect their workers from the dangers of driving while tired and improve safety both on and off the clock.

With Drowsy Driving Prevention Week serving as a reminder, there has never been a better time for employers to evaluate their current practices and implement strategies that will reduce the risk of fatigued driving. By taking action today, companies can save lives, reduce accidents, and foster a safer, healthier workplace for all.

Interested in learning more about how to reduce drowsy driving risks in your organization? Contact CIRCADIAN® for tailored fatigue risk management training that can help your company improve safety, productivity, and well-being.