(INDIANAPOLIS) - Losing an hour of sleep when clocks move forward for Daylight Saving Time could increase the risk of drowsy driving.
AAA Hoosier officials say the one-hour time change can disrupt sleep schedules and circadian rhythms, sometimes taking several days for people to adjust.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drowsy drivers were involved in 18 percent of all traffic deaths between 2017 and 2021, accounting for nearly 30,000 deaths.
Warning signs of drowsy driving include difficulty keeping your eyes open, drifting out of your lane and not remembering the last several miles traveled.
AAA says teens, young adults and drivers on the road between midnight and 6 a.m. face a higher risk, along with night shift workers and people with untreated sleep disorders.
Officials recommend getting at least seven hours of sleep before driving. If drivers begin to feel tired behind the wheel, AAA says they should pull over and take a break. A short nap of 20 to 30 minutes can help improve alertness