National Sleep Foundation Assembles Leading Experts to Shape the Future of Drowsy Driving Prevention at Upcoming Drowsy Driving Forum

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) will host its Drowsy Driving Forum on October 29, 2026, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., followed by Drowsy Driving Prevention Week^® (November 1–7, 2026).

For nearly two decades, NSF's annual Drowsy Driving Prevention Week campaign has addressed the preventable road crashes, injuries, and deaths due to drowsy driving. The 2026 Drowsy Driving Forum will expand to feature two distinct thought leader panels that convene experts from government, transportation safety, sleep health and clinical sleep medicine, and industry.

Mark R. Rosekind, PhD, Board Chair, National Sleep Foundation, former Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and prior Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will moderate the Forum.

The initial Leadership Panel will feature senior leaders from federal roadway safety agencies and the automotive industry to discuss national priorities, emerging challenges, and effective actions that can reduce drowsy driving and benefit public health and safety.

The Leadership Panel will feature:

• Jonathan Morrison, Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Thomas Chapman, Member, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
• John Bozzella, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for Automotive Innovation

The second Solutions & Actions Panel will feature national experts from roadway safety, transportation, population research, and clinical sleep medicine. This panel will include the exclusive release of the 2026 NSF Drowsy Driving survey data results that will be the basis for a discussion of evidence-based strategies and collaborations that can help drivers stay alert and prevent fall-asleep crashes.

The Solutions & Actions Panel will feature:

• Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, Senior Vice President, Research & Scientific Affairs, National Sleep Foundation
• Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer, Governors Highway Safety Association
• David Harkey, President, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, MD, President, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
• Jamie Butters, Veteran Automotive Journalist and Host of the Autotown Radio Show and Podcast

"Now is the time for organizations with a shared interest in public health and safety to do more together to help save lives," said John Lopos, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sleep Foundation. "As the National Sleep Foundation advances sleep health and safety, our role extends beyond raising awareness. By establishing a Forum to help inform and align organizations around evidence-based solutions and practical tools, we all can drive meaningful change."

The 2026 NSF Drowsy Driving Forum serves as a cornerstone of the National Sleep Foundation's expanded year-round Drowsy Driving Prevention Program, which combines public education, scientific research, strategic collaborations, and national leadership to reduce fatigue-related crashes and improve roadway safety.

Information about the program agenda and complimentary registration information for the Drowsy Driving Forum can be found here. NSF independently produces Drowsy Driving Prevention Week and all related educational content

About Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is impaired driving and accounts for an estimated one in five fatal crashes on U.S. roads. Although 95% of Americans recognize drowsy driving as dangerous, nearly two-thirds report having driven while so tired they had difficulty keeping their eyes open. Among new drivers, one in six teens report driving drowsy within their first two years behind the wheel.

About the National Sleep Foundation
There's only one National Sleep Foundation (NSF). NSF is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. For over 35 years, NSF has promoted sleep health through expert recommendations, consensus guidelines, tech standards, and easy-to-use evidence-based tips and tools to improve sleep.

For more information about NSF, visit www.theNSF.org │ SleepHealthJournal.org

Contact: Stephanie Kohn
540-850-7827
[email protected]

SOURCE National Sleep Foundation