Drowsy Driving

The Fairbanks North Star Borough is located in the heart of Interior Alaska, and is the second-largest population center in the state. Based in Fairbanks, it encompasses 11 different communities including Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Moose Creek, North Pole, and Two Rivers. For young and inexperienced drivers, winter driving conditions can be treacherous in the Borough. From October through March, snow and severe weather with temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit present a challenge to all drivers. In the summer months, daylight can exceed 20 hours a day because of the area's proximity to the Arctic Circle, making drowsy driving a problem.

Since 1998, the number of injuries and fatalities involving teenage drivers in the North Star Borough has steadily increased. Alcohol-related fatalities in Alaska continue to be a problem, where 53 percent of motor vehicle fatalities involve alcohol. The North Star Trauma Prevention and Safety Center (NSTPSC) was formed in 2000. The Center’s first priority was motor vehicle safety issues with a special focus on teen drivers. The NSTPSC organized a “Teen Rally” in an effort to provide young drivers with opportunities to test their skills, focus on the skills they lack, and provide general motor vehicle information.

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