Wake Up and Smell the Coffee...Driving Drowsy is Dangerous; Baymont Inns & Suites Promotes Safer Summer Travels Through Its Drive Revived Program

MILWAUKEE--June 28, 2004--Whether planning a fun-filled, cross-country family adventure or weekend getaway to a nearby water park this summer, vacations often involve traveling by car. They also typically include long hours in the sun, a less-than-average amount of sleep and lots of time behind the wheel--a potentially deadly combination.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates sleepiness causes more than 100,000 automobile crashes, 1,500 fatalities, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in economic costs each year. With the tough economy, even more families will hit the highways for their summer vacations - greatly increasing the risk for fall-asleep crashes.

Drowsy driving continues to be a growing problem on U.S. roads. That's why Drive Revived(R), an educational campaign from Baymont Inns & Suites, aims to help travelers better understand the dangers of--and to prevent--falling asleep at the wheel. Baymont Inns & Suites' 178 properties invite road-weary travelers to stop in for a quick break before continuing on their way. The hotels provide free coffee and bottled water 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to anyone who stops--regardless of whether they stay the night.

For drivers who are too tired to continue, Baymont Inns & Suites also offer a special walk-in "Drive Revived" rate (subject to availability) to help them rest up before getting back behind the wheel.

The Problem

Americans are often reminded about the seriousness of drinking and driving - what many do not know is that tired drivers are just as dangerous. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently reported the top 10 driver errors and listed "drowsiness" at #2, just behind "distractions". Conducted in Canada and the United States, the AAA report states that drowsiness, dozing off, entering the early stages of sleep or switching off for micro sleeps lasting more than a second are implicated in up to 40 percent of serious accidents, substantially higher than the 32 percent ascribed to drinking and driving, which was #3 on the list.

"You would never think to get behind the wheel with your family in tow if you had been drinking," said Craig Farrell, senior vice president of marketing, sales and brand management at Baymont Inns, Inc. "Yet British researchers have found that extreme sleep deprivation can impair brain function as much as a .10 blood-alcohol level. Sleepiness impairs reaction time and attention, and it slows down your ability to process information, much the same as alcohol."

According to the National Safety Council, the human body often compensates for lack of sleep by taking micro sleeps. These tiny naps last only a few seconds but can have deadly results; a car going 55 miles per hour can travel more than the length of a football field during a four-second nap.

"While it is the safest option, not everyone in today's society of hectic schedules and tighter budgets is in a position to break up their drive by spending the night in a hotel," said Farrell. "And for many, especially women, gas stations and rest stops don't provide a very appealing option for taking a break. Baymont Inns & Suites provide a clean, safe, no-cost place to stop and get revived."

Risk Factors--Everyone's at Risk, But Some More than Others

Sleep is a natural function of the human body. When a person's circadian rhythms--the body cycles that tell a person when to eat and sleep--become disrupted, several potentially dangerous things can occur. Sleepiness affects reaction time, attention and information processing--all critical aspects of safe driving.

Everyone is at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Certain characteristics or events greatly increase that risk.

-- Gender and age--young people between the ages of 16 and 29 are more susceptible to fall-asleep crashes (with young men being particularly vulnerable).

-- Disrupted sleep patterns caused by late-night, long or irregular working hours.

-- Untreated or unrecognized sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

-- Sedating medications.

-- Consumption of alcohol (even in small, moderate amounts).

-- Driving patterns, including time of day (midnight to 6 a.m. and mid-afternoon are especially dangerous) and the number of miles/hours traveled per day or trip.

It is a common misconception that the most at-risk group for falling asleep behind the wheel is commercial truck drivers. According to a 1998 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately 96 percent of sleep-related crashes involve passenger vehicle drivers; only about three percent involve drivers of large trucks. Because sleep is a necessary and often uncontrollable function, all drivers are susceptible to falling asleep at the wheel.

Warning Signs--Sleepiness Can Sneak Up

Everybody needs sleep so everyone is at risk for falling asleep at the wheel. One of the most dangerous aspects of fall-asleep crashes is that many drivers don't even realize they are drowsy.

It is important to recognize the warning signs. A driver feeling tired should stop to rest or take a coffee break if:

    1. Eyes close or go out of focus.

    2. Head becomes heavy and begins to bob.

    3. Excessive yawning.

    4. Thoughts begin to wander or become disconnected.

    5. Drifting between lanes, tailgating or missing traffic signs
       begins to occur.

    6. Car needs to be suddenly jerked back into driving lane.

Prevention Can Save Lives

The Drive Revived program places a heavy emphasis on educating travelers to prevent drowsy driving related accidents. Tip sheets are available at all Baymont Inns & Suites and at www.DriveRevived.com. Some of the most common ways to prevent drowsy driving include:

    1. Getting plenty of good, quality sleep before leaving.
    
    2. Avoiding driving between midnight and 6 a.m.
         
    3. Driving with someone else who is awake in the front seat.

    4. Taking frequent breaks every two hours, include a 15-20 minute 
       nap if needed.
    
    5. Drinking caffeine equivalent to two cups of coffee.

    6. Avoiding even small amounts of alcohol.
    
    7. Not assuming that opening a window or playing loud music will 
       help - these methods have not been proven.

   Help make America's roads safer for everyone. Don't drive drowsy.