Drowsy driving incidents are increasing in Colorado, raising safety concerns among state officials and the public.
When drivers are sleepy, they can’t focus. They might drift between lanes or struggle to keep a safe distance from other cars. The National Sleep Foundation warns that tired drivers can react too slowly to avoid accidents.
In fact, the Colorado State Patrol reported a shocking 107% increase in fatal and serious crashes tied to driver fatigue over the last four years. Col. Matthew Packard from the patrol emphasized how fatigue affects attention, judgment, and reaction times.
Driving after being awake for over 20 hours is like driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08%. That’s the legal limit! The National Safety Council also pointed out that drivers can experience “micro-sleep,” where they zone out for a few seconds. At highway speeds, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field.
The problem is getting worse. Between 2023 and 2024, drowsy lane-violation crashes rose by another 43.5%. Each year, drowsy driving claims about 6,400 lives in the U.S. and injures around 71,000 people, costing millions in damages.
Young drivers, especially those aged 18 to 24, are particularly affected. They often have less tolerance for sleep loss and work long hours, leaving them with fewer chances to rest.
Packard noted that we don’t talk enough about fatigue and its impact on driving. Shift workers and commercial drivers are at high risk, but anyone who doesn’t get enough sleep can be affected.
If you start feeling drowsy while driving, it’s best to pull over and take a quick nap. The signs of drowsy driving include heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, and drifting between lanes. Stay safe out there!
