Every mile matters when your business depends on the road. Whether it’s your employees delivering products, meeting with clients or operating company vehicles, staying alert behind the wheel isn’t just a personal safety concern—it’s a business imperative.
A 2025 Erie Insurance survey shows that 14% of Americans admit to falling asleep at the wheel. And the issue isn’t going away. In fact, data indicates drowsy driving incidents have been increasing since 2020.
For businesses with employees on the road, this growing risk could translate into costly crashes, lost productivity or worse—injury or death. That’s why it’s essential to understand the factors behind drowsy driving and what your business can do to help prevent it.
The Business Risks of Sleep-Deprived Driving
More than half of Americans are sleeping less than the recommended seven hours a night. For the 25% of working adults whose jobs involve regular driving, that shortfall can have serious consequences. Impaired attention, slower reaction times and poor decision-making can turn an ordinary commute into a life-altering event.
Consider this: a fully loaded vehicle traveling at highway speed can weigh more than 2 tons. With a drowsy driver behind that wheel, it becomes a dangerous liability. And for business owners, that liability can extend beyond the road—impacting everything from insurance premiums to company reputation.
When Are Drivers Most at Risk?
According to the Erie Insurance survey, late-night hours between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. and early morning drives from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. are the most dangerous. These windows align with disruptions in the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder for drivers to stay alert—even if they “feel okay” to drive.
If your business operates outside of standard hours—think delivery services, food catering teams, maintenance crews or real estate professionals—this risk could be even greater.
How Employers Can Help Keep Drivers Safe
Many drowsy drivers try to power through with caffeine or loud music, but those are only temporary fixes. The best defense against drowsy driving is proper rest and employer awareness. Here are a few practical steps businesses can take:
- Educate employees on the signs of fatigue and when to stop driving.
- Encourage sleep-friendly habits, including consistent schedules and limited screen time before bed.
- Adjust routes or shifts when possible to avoid high-risk driving hours.
- Support mental wellness—stress and anxiety are key reasons why people aren’t sleeping enough.
- Reinforce your company’s safe driving policy with ongoing training and resources.
Protecting the People Who Power Your Business
You count on your employees to keep your business moving forward—literally and figuratively. Ensuring they’re protected on the road is part of that promise.
That’s where we come in.
At Erie Insurance, we understand how important it is to have the right business insurance coverage in place—especially when your team spends time behind the wheel. From commercial auto policies to liability coverage and risk control services, we’ll help you find the right protection for your people and your operations.
Talk to a local Erie Insurance agent today to learn how business insurance can help safeguard what you’ve worked so hard to build.
