November 7 marked the final day of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, and Michigan advocates hope the message reaches far beyond this campaign.

The Don’t Drive Drowsy Foundation and Start School Later are urging Michigan parents, teachers, and policymakers to take a closer look at start times, teen sleep, and road safety. Katherine Nitz with Start School Later says major medical groups recommend that high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. to align with teens’ natural sleep cycles.

“They need that early morning sleep in order to learn and to grow,” Nitz said. “ So a teenager waking up at 6 a .m. is the equivalent of an adult waking up at 4 a .m.”

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sho

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