A new GHSA report, with support from General Motors, recommends actionable steps to reduce this silent threat to road safety.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Driving tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – yet one in five drivers admit doing it at least once in the past month. A new Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report, developed with General Motors’ (GM) support, reveals the deadly consequences of this preventable behavior and outlines concrete steps to eliminate it.
More than 6,300 people died in suspected drowsy driving crashes in 2023 – ten times higher than the 633 deaths officially reported in federal statistics. GHSA's comprehensive analysis uncovered this hidden toll by cross-referencing multiple sources, including the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the Crash Investigation Sampling System. This massive gap exists because fatigue, unlike alcohol or drugs, leaves no physical evidence that can be tested after a crash. The data analysis was conducted by Dr. Jim Hedlund, a well-respected roadway safety statistician with Highway Safety North.
Nearly 20% of Americans have admitted to driving while drowsy at least once in the past month, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The problem cuts across demographics, but some groups face heightened risk: younger drivers (including college students), parents of children up to age 17, historically underserved individuals, people working night shifts (such as nurses), and long-haul truck drivers.
These aren't just statistics – they're people. Behind every number is a family torn apart by a preventable tragedy. Behind every number is a person killed too soon, leaving behind countless grieving family members. Nicole Michelle Lee is one of these victims. In 2008, the driver of the car she was riding in fell asleep and veered off the road, causing a crash that killed her just one year after she graduated high school. Her sister Jennifer Pearce has been a vocal advocate against drowsy driving ever since Nicole’s death.
“My dear sister Nicki has been gone for longer than she was with us – just because someone drove while tired,” Pearce said. “Drowsy driving is doing harm on our roads. Unfortunately, Nicki’s story is frustratingly common. I’m thankful that GHSA and GM are helping raise awareness and supporting solutions that can make a meaningful difference so nobody else has to live through such an awful loss.”
The report outlines several strategies to combat this dangerous behavior:
“We talk about the dangers of drunk, drug-impaired and distracted driving – but drowsy driving belongs in the conversation, too. It's the fourth ‘D’ that kills thousands every year; it's time we give it the same urgency,” said GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins. “By raising awareness among drivers, helping train law enforcement and expanding in-vehicle technologies, we can help ensure that fewer families experience the tragedy of a fatigue-related crash.”
“General Motors is proud of our collaboration with GHSA to help address drowsy driving and get us closer to a future with zero traffic crashes,” said John Capp, director of Vehicle Safety Technology, Strategy and Regulations. “This report offers both a call to action for ending drowsy driving and a blueprint for ensuring that positive change happens.”
GHSA also is partnering with Youthcast Media Group (YMG), a nonprofit that supports high school and college students writing about and reporting on often overlooked health and social issues, such as traffic safety. YMG worked with student journalists to create social media posts illustrating the extent of the problem and showing the personal toll of drowsy driving. These social media posts are compiled in a toolkit now available on the GHSA website.
In addition, GHSA partnered with social media influencers whose audiences face drowsy driving risks: Dr. Kim VanDusen reaches parents managing hectic schedules, nurse practitioner Amber Gardner speaks to shift workers, and book publisher Stephanie Howell connects with those balancing demanding careers with family life.
Finally, earlier this month, GHSA and GM held a two-part virtual information exchange to highlight numerous ways that State Highway Safety Offices can work with partners to reduce drowsy driving. Those sessions were recorded and will be released later as short, easy-to-view learning modules.
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The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans.
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.
