PSSM launches the Drowsy Driving Prevention campaign in Clark
The Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM), a non-governmental organization established in 2002 to promote awareness on the importance of sleep health, launched the first ever Drowsy Driving Prevention campaign in a Sleep Expo last 15 November 2025, at the 3F Tower 1, Clark Cityfront Mall, Clark Freeport, Angeles City, Pampanga.
Entitled “TABI MUNA!,” which means pull-over, the campaign is a public awareness and road safety initiative that educates people about the dangers of driving while fatigued. It encourages individuals to get adequate sleep before driving and to recognize signs of drowsiness to prevent accidents, which are often compared to drunk and distracted driving. This event is inspired by the US National Sleep Foundation (NSF) campaign on Drowsy Driving Prevention. The PSSM is adapting a similar initiative to create awareness about the importance of sleep.
“Our goal is to promote the campaign to a wider public—doctors, healthcare professionals and laymen who can champion the Society’s advocacy, aimed at educating the public about the dangers of fatigue and promote road safety behavior,” said PSSM President Dr. Jimmy Chang.
In addition to the Sleep Expo, the PSSM held the first Regional Caravan, on 16 November 2025, at the Park Inn by Radisson Clark Hotel, Mabalacat. The event brought together 80 partners and stakeholders to assist them in developing sleep services in the Central Luzon region. A conference with expert-led sessions on sleep health with professionals in the industry was also held as part of the Society’s goal of educating the general public.
While comprehensive statistics on drowsy driving locally in 2025 are not yet available, internationally reported incidences of road accidents linked to driver sleepiness are as high as 30%. The leading factor behind these accidents is sleep deprivation.
A recent survey revealed that the Philippines ranks first in Southeast Asia and fourth worldwide as one of the “most sleep-deprived” nations. This highlights the urgent need to raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving and to encourage safer driving habits by changing drivers’ perceptions and behaviors toward sleep and road safety.
The passage of Senate Bill No. 2063 Sleep Disorder Awareness and Education Act, filed on April 12, 2023 by Senator Mark Villar, seems long, but there is no other time to educate more citizens about the perils of sleep deprivation but now.
This event is in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), patron sponsors: Uratex Philippines, Philips Respironics, and Petron Corporation and other sponsors: Quality Sleep Philippines, Respicare, PraxisMed, Resmed, DuraMed, The Air Station, CPAP and Sleep Disorders Clinic, Hi-Esai, Trianon, Converge, and Sleep Lab.
“A support to Sleep Expo and Regional Caravan are a support to healthier and more productive Filipinos,” added Dr. Chang.
