#United States #Washington D.C. #road safety #National Sleep Foundation #Drowsy Driving

National Sleep Foundation's Call to Action on Drowsy Driving

On October 29, 2026, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) hosted a significant forum aimed at addressing a crucial yet often overlooked issue: drowsy driving. Gathered at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., a diverse group of stakeholders including road safety leaders, automakers, crash investigators, traffic safety researchers, sleep experts, and various nonprofits converged for a collaborative dialogue under the banner of the forum titled Advancing Sleep Health to Reduce Impaired Driving.

The forum was the centerpiece of NSF's year-round Drowsy Driving Prevention Program, reinforcing their commitment to tackling the alarming trend of drowsy driving in the U.S. At this event, NSF unveiled their comprehensive 2026 Drowsy Driving Report, revealing that a staggering 61% of adult drivers (over 145 million individuals) have operated a vehicle while impaired by sleepiness. This statistic underscores the critical need for awareness and actionable steps to combat the risks associated with drowsy driving, which remains a largely unrecognized yet deadly form of impaired driving.

During the forum, participants acknowledged that significant progress requires a collective effort spanning all sectors that influence how Americans drive today. The agenda included two in-depth panels: the Leadership Panel, which examined current priorities and emerging challenges in roadway safety, and the Solutions & Actions Panel, which provided fresh insights from NSF's Drowsy Driving Report. This latter panel encouraged active collaborations necessary for implementing evidence-based strategies geared toward reducing drowsy driving incidents.

Key Speakers and Insights

Leadership Panel:

• - Jonathan Morrison, Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• - Thomas Chapman, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Member
• - John Bozzella, President & CEO, Alliance for Automotive Innovation

This panel highlighted current national safety priorities, specifically addressing the critical impacts of fatigue on driving abilities and the need for preventive measures.

Solutions & Actions Panel:

• - Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, NSF Senior VP, Research & Scientific Affairs
• - Jonathan Adkins, CEO, Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
• - David Harkey, President, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
• - Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, MD, President, American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)
• - Jamie Butters, veteran automotive journalist & host of Autotown podcast

Moderated by Mark R. Rosekind, PhD, who is also the Board Chair of NSF and a former Administrator of NHTSA, the forum provided a platform for leaders across industries to synchronize their efforts on addressing drowsy driving as a substantial safety threat. Rosekind emphasized that this marked a significant first, where leaders responsible for traffic regulation, vehicle design, and health promotion collaboratively acknowledged the dangers of drowsy driving and committed to actions that could ultimately save lives.

John Lopos, CEO of NSF, stressed the importance of this forum, stating that it encapsulated their ongoing commitment to ensuring every driver is educated about the paramount importance of adequate sleep in achieving alertness on the road.

New Initiatives Launched

At the forum, NSF also showcased two vital initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness and education on sleep health:
1. Drowsy Driving Forum Video Series - Recordings of both panel discussions will be made available in early 2027 through NSF's website, allowing safety professionals and the general public to access valuable information anytime.
2. New Drowsy Driving Resource Site - This new information hub will serve as a go-to destination for evidence-based resources on drowsy driving, including the 2026 Drowsy Driving Report, infographics, and toolkits designed for different audiences such as teen drivers, parents, and employers.

The forum also set the stage for NSF's annual Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (November 1–7, 2026), coinciding with the end of Daylight Saving Time—a period known to exacerbate sleep issues. The campaign theme, Sleep First. Drive Alert., serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sleep in maintaining road safety. Sponsors such as Waymo, Mazda, and WHG supported this initiative, with collaboration from multiple organizations dedicated to enhancing road safety.

For more resources and to download the detailed 2026 Drowsy Driving Report, interested parties are encouraged to visit NSF's dedicated page.

The National Sleep Foundation continues to champion the need for sleep health education and advocacy, reinforcing the vital role of sleep in our daily lives and on the roads. With a history dating back to 1990, NSF is committed to advancing sleep health practices across America.

For further insights and updates about NSF's activities, please check their official websites: theNSF.org and SleepHealthJournal.org.