By Melanie Becker-Donovan — According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Drowsy driving kills — but is preventable.”
NHTSA stated that there were 644 deaths in 2024 resulting from drowsy driving. According to the University of New Mexico Geospatial and Population Studies, there were six fatal crashes in Chaves County with 134 injuries, 233 property damage and all crashes were at 373 in total for “inattentive driving” in 2025. Drowsy driving is usually categorized as “inattentive driving” and could have a variety of causes, such as not paying attention, looking at navigation systems or phones, gazing out at the scenery, eating or drinking, or grooming, among other distracted activities.
As daylight saving time ends on Nov. 1, residents are encouraged to be aware of the dangers of drowsy driving as sleep schedules adjust and evening darkness arrives earlier. The body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, helps regulate sleep and wakefulness. Changes in daily routines and light exposure can affect sleep patterns, while insufficient rest can leave drivers less alert behind the wheel.
Drowsy driving can impair reaction time, attention and decision-making. In severe cases, drivers may experience microsleeps, brief, involuntary episodes of sleep that can cause them to lose awareness of the road. Warning signs include frequent yawning, heavy eyelids, difficulty concentrating and drifting out of a lane. Drivers who experience these symptoms should stop driving in a safe location rather than attempt to push through the fatigue.
Incidents most commonly occur on rural roads and highways. Also, incidents occur mostly between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. as well as late afternoon. Opening a window, turning up the radio or drinking coffee cannot reliably prevent microsleeps or overcome significant sleep deprivation. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night, and planning ahead can help reduce the risk of driving while tired.
More tips on preventing drowsiness by the NHTSA include going to bed 15 to 20 minutes later each night before the time change to give the body a chance to adjust. Also to transition the timing of daily routines is helpful, such as a later dinner or exercising later in the morning. On Saturday night, set clocks one hour back and try to go to sleep at a regular bedtime. Try to go outside for some early morning sunlight on Sunday, the bright light will help set the “body clock” that regulates sleep and alertness.
Residents can help keep Chaves County roads safer by maintaining consistent sleep schedules, allowing adequate rest before traveling and recognizing when fatigue makes driving unsafe. With darker evenings and changing routines, taking time to rest can help protect drivers, passengers and others on the road.
For more information, visit nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving and gps.unm.edu/tru.
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