Trucker Life · Nationwide · October 31, 2026

Clocks Fall Back This Weekend, and Safety Advocates Warn Truckers and Other Motorists About Drowsy Driving

By Big Rig Daily Staff

The clocks move back an hour this weekend, and a national safety group says that is a good time for every trucker and motorist to think about being tired behind the wheel. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1. The Trucker reported Oct. 30 on a warning from the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) that the end of daylight saving time increases the risk of drowsy driving.

Why it matters now

"As daylight savings ends, we do more driving in the dusk and dark, and that's when more crashes occur," said Michelle Anderson of the NRSF. "The change in time also can cause drowsiness."

The numbers

Surveys show that more than 60% of U.S. motorists have driven while fatigued, and nearly 37% admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel. At highway speeds, someone who dozes for only four or five seconds can travel more than the length of a football field, crossing into oncoming traffic or off the road, according to the report.

Anderson cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports estimating that about 100,000 crashes each year are caused by drowsy driving. She also said AAA estimates that 21 percent of fatal crashes involve driver fatigue.

Warning signs

The NRSF urges everyone on the road to watch for these signs of drowsiness:

• Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or rubbing the eyes.
• Daydreaming or not remembering the last few miles driven.
• Head snaps and yawning.
• Drifting out of the lane, tailgating or hitting rumble strips.

What to do about it

If any of those signs appear, the advice is to find a safe place to pull over and take a break. Have a cup of coffee or a caffeinated snack, or take a 20 minute nap. The group says to allow 30 minutes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream. Some common remedies, such as blasting the radio or opening the car windows, are not effective at avoiding drowsiness, according to the report.

Fatigue can also cause "micro-sleeps" that last several seconds, which can have devastating results. "We've seen too many examples of people trying to make it those last few miles when fatigued, only to crash a few blocks from home," Anderson said. "Don't try to tough it out."

She also encourages passengers to speak up when a driver seems fatigued. "Speaking up about risky driving behavior, whether it's drowsiness or speeding or distraction can save lives," she said.

The NRSF offers programs on drowsy driving, including an 18 minute video called "Almost Home," a drowsiness self-assessment quiz and a personal sleep log.

A note for truckers

Finding a safe place to stop is easier said than done on a busy night, and Big Rig Daily has a guide to truck parking tips and apps. For how the clock rules work, see the guide to ELDs and hours of service. The warning above comes from the NRSF and applies to every motorist, not only to truckers.

Quick facts

• When: daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
• Who is warning: the National Road Safety Foundation.
• Survey numbers: more than 60% of U.S. motorists have driven while fatigued, and nearly 37% have fallen asleep at the wheel.
• Advice: pull over, take a 20 minute nap or have caffeine, and skip the loud radio and open windows.

A question for readers

What actually keeps you alert on a long night run, and which trick turned out to be useless?

Save this story for later

Save this to Pinterest