Drowsy Driver Awareness Day (April 6th)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every April 6th
Tagged as:	Items & Things Life & Living Safety Transport
What's the hashtag?	#DrowsyDriverAwarenessDay
When was it founded?	1999
Who founded it?	Phil Konstantin
We first published this page on:	Jun 22nd, 2025
We last updated this page:	Jun 22nd, 2025

Contents

Drowsy Driver Awareness Day raises attention to the dangers of driving when you’re too tired. It mixes concern and care in one message.

People across the country pause to consider how fatigue weakens focus. Statistics show drowsy driving plays a serious role in crashes—about 100,000 reported collisions each year in the U.S., including more than 1,500 fatalities.

That makes driving tired almost as risky as drunk driving. Drivers admit to closing their eyes at the wheel, unaware how quickly focus slips.

This day turns alarm into awareness, helping everyone think twice before getting behind the wheel without enough rest.

The second day flows like a warning and a promise. It paints a simple scene: a driver yawns, vision blurs, reaction slows. A microsleep lasts seconds, but it can end lives. Many admit to nodding off even during short trips.

The day builds a story around small choices. Choosing rest instead of pushing on can change a powerful narrative. People learn that choosing sleep isn’t just smart—it can save someone’s tomorrow.

How to Celebrate Drowsy Driver Awareness Day

Here’s a refreshed version with more heart and depth behind each idea. These suggestions aim to inspire real reflection and lasting habits.

Start Honest Conversations

Bring up the risks of drowsy driving at dinner or during breaks. Ask loved ones if they’ve ever felt too tired behind the wheel.

Real stories spark awareness and make the issue feel close to home. When people speak openly, they start to notice their own habits.

Offer Someone a Ride

If a friend seems worn out after work, offer to drive instead. Small choices like this show care and responsibility.

It reminds others that asking for help is better than risking a trip while tired. One ride could prevent a dangerous moment.

Make Rest a Priority

Use the day to shift your routine. Go to bed an hour earlier or skip a late-night errand. Treat sleep like it matters, because it does.

When rest becomes part of your safety plan, every trip feels more secure.

Bring Awareness to Work

Print a few facts and place them in shared spaces like break rooms. Include signs of fatigue and quick tips to stay alert.

You don’t need a big event—just a small message in the right place can make someone pause and think before heading out.

Check in with Young Drivers

Teens and young adults often underestimate sleep. Talk with them about their driving habits and why rest matters more than rushing. Set the tone early. When they hear it from someone they trust, it sticks.

History of Drowsy Driver Awareness Day

Drowsy Driver Awareness Day began with one man’s personal tragedy. In 1999, Phil Konstantin lost his wife when she fell asleep while driving. Her car drifted off the road, and she didn’t survive.

Phil, a former California Highway Patrol officer, knew something had to change. He decided to turn his loss into something that could help others.

After years of speaking out, he chose April 6 as the day to remember her and warn others about the risks of fatigue behind the wheel.

In 2005, California officially recognized the date. The goal was simple: remind drivers to take sleep seriously. As the idea gained support, more safety groups and agencies got involved.

They saw how often tiredness caused accidents, many deadly, and many preventable. Schools, law enforcement, and workplaces started to spread the word. Drivers were encouraged to pull over when tired, switch drivers, or stop for short naps.

The day now reaches people across the country. It asks everyone to look at their habits and think twice before driving without enough rest.

What began as one family’s heartbreak grew into a national effort to save lives. Drowsy Driver Awareness Day continues to make that message loud and clear.