Solutions & Actions Panel at the 2026 NSF Drowsy Driving Forum will move beyond awareness to focus on turning new research and insights into practical actions.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) today announced the distinguished experts who will participate in the Solutions & Actions Panel at the 2026 NSF Drowsy Driving Forum. Following the previously announced Leadership Panel, the two discussions will bring national leaders from government, research, sleep health and medicine, roadway safety, and industry together to advance sleep health and transportation safety through collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based actions.

The Solutions & Actions Panel will feature these leaders and subject matter experts:

• 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

Moderated by Mark R. Rosekind, PhD, Chair of the National Sleep Foundation Board of Directors, former Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and prior Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Forum will take place on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. John Lopos, Chief Executive Officer, National Sleep Foundation will open and close the event. Forum registration is complimentary and open to all interested attendees.

Building on the Leadership Panel's discussion of national priorities and opportunities to improve roadway safety, the Solutions & Actions Panel will examine newly released National Sleep Foundation research on drowsy driving and further explore practical strategies that can help reduce crashes caused by sleepiness and fatigue.  Panelists will share their diverse perspectives, discuss opportunities for collaboration, and identify meaningful actions that organizations across sectors can take to help keep drivers alert and roads safer.

The discussion will be anchored by new findings from NSF's 2026 Drowsy Driving Survey, continuing the National Sleep Foundation's longstanding commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions through research, education, and collaboration. The survey explores emerging issues relevant to drowsy driving prevention while reinforcing the importance of healthy sleep as the foundation for safe driving.

"Meaningful progress in drowsy driving prevention depends on turning research into actions," said Rosekind. "The Solutions & Actions Panel brings together leaders with diverse expertise who can examine new evidence, share practical perspectives, and help identify collaborative approaches that can move the field forward. We are honored that these distinguished experts have agreed to participate."

"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

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SOURCE National Sleep Foundation