As California springs forward, Highway Patrol watching for tired drivers. Here’s why

California Highway Patrol is urging drivers to be cognizant of how the time change could affect their ability to drive safely.

And officers will be keeping an extra eye out for drowsy drivers this week, said Officer Eulogio Ceja, a spokesman for the CHP Valley Division.

Springing forward can disrupt sleep patterns and affect a driver’s ability to concentrate and safely operate a motor vehicle,” the CHP said during the time change in November.

Daylight saving time begins Sunday.

CHP said drowsiness can have similar effects as drugs or alcohol.

“When you think of the causes of impaired or distracted driving, include drowsy driving,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray in the news release.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 697 deaths from car accidents related to drowsy driving in 2019.

On average, there are over 6,000 crashes each year attributed to fatigued driving in California, the CHP said.

The NHTSA said that these types of incidents can occur in the day or night, but it typically happens between midnight and 6 a.m., and late afternoon. It often involves single drivers. It is also most commonly associated with rural roads and highways.

The CHP says added that drowsy driving has a greater likelihood of happening during mornings and evenings.

Some tips that the CHP provided to avoid sleepiness while driving include getting enough sleep before going on the road and driving with a passenger so you can switch drivers when you’re feeling sleepy.

It said you should also avoid alcohol or medications that cause drowsiness, and take regular rest stops.

If you see someone driving dangerously, don’t get involved. Instead, the CHP says you should call law enforcement and report all the information that you know.

This story was originally published March 11, 2022 at 12:29 PM.