With Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer, just weeks away, the National Sleep Foundation last week issued a press release warning drivers about the dangers of "drowsy driving."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), summer is the deadliest time of year for drivers, so the National Sleep Foundation "reminds the public to stay alert at the wheel and beware of other sleepy drivers in order to arrive at their destinations safely."

National Sleep Foundation CEO explains, "Many people fail to realize just how much sleep impacts alertness on the roadways. Not getting a good night's sleep and driving can have deadly consequences.  In fact, drowsy driving may be just as dangerous as drunk driving because sleepiness results in slower reaction times and performance; reduced judgment and vision; delayed information processing and short term memory formation; and even increased anger and moodiness."

According to NHTSA, 100,000 car crashes each year are the result of fatigue behind the wheel, and the NHTSA estimates 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in diminished productivity and property loss as a result.  Researchers believe that these numbers are underestimated, given that an estimated 1 million crashes are produced by driver inattention, which is a side effect of fatigue.

Here's a staggering statistic: the national Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America Poll showed that one out of five drivers report having actually fallen asleep while driving; that's 32 million people!

If you're driving at night, drowsiness may soon set in, even if you feel alert when first getting behind the wheel.  Trying to beat traffic or arrive at your destination early by driving while sleepy puts you and other motorists at risk. It's time pull over and stop driving when you experience the following:
- trouble focusing, frequent blinking, and/or heavy eyelids.
- drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips.
- repeated yawning.
- difficulty remembering the last few miles driven.
- missing exits or traffic signs.
- trouble keeping your head up.

To avoid the above mentioned scenarios, be sure to get a good night's sleep before you hit the road, don't be too rushed to arrive at your destination, take a short break every 100 miles or 2 hours, avoid alcohol or medications that may magnify sleepiness, do not drive when you'd be sleeping normally, and employ the buddy system.  The national Sleep Foundation also suggests packing a cooler filled with caffeinated beverages.