It seems that sleep is being targeted as a new killer on the rise through Pennsylvania's roads and highways. State officials are now warning everyone on the road: BEWARE OF DROWSY DRIVERS!

In addition to distracted driving, recent studies show that driving while fatigued can be added to the list of things drivers should be wary of while they drive. The CDCP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) shows that nearly 10% of people over the age of 18 have fallen asleep while driving just in the past month, and that over 40% of people admit to having fallen asleep while driving at some point in their lives.

Of the near 150,000 licensed drivers that were polled, the CDCP says that men are more likely to drive exhausted than women and that drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 are almost 80% more likely to fall asleep than drivers who are between the ages of 30 and 60.

The NHTSA, or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, now estimates that "drowsy driving" is the culprit in 2-3% of fatal motor vehicle accidents annually in the United States. The NHTSA also says that somewhere between 2% and 5% of driving accidents that result in serious injuries involved weary drivers. Other polls actually have those numbers coming in at a much higher rate, especially in largely populated areas that tend to include many "rural" roads like Pittsburgh, Erie, and Youngstown.

PennDoT authorities have taken action on Pennsylvania highways by adding rumble strips that border both sides of the road; however, on stretches where highways are three or four lanes thick with drivers this is not enough to help assure tired drivers do not sway too far from their respected lanes. While over 95% of polled drivers believe that the SNAP, or Sonic Nap Alert Pattern, rumble strips are a good idea, it does not change the fact that some tired drivers exude characteristics that mirror those of drivers who drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

In a recent public service announcement and pamphlet, Penn DoT has warned Pennsylvania drivers that they may in fact be driving drowsy if they:

• Have trouble remembering how many miles they have driven.
• Cannot remember the last exit they passed.
• Have difficulty keeping their eyes open and /or focused.
• Are yawning regularly and/or rubbing their eyes a lot.
• Are drifting from lane to lane or off the road.

In addition to the common signs of fatigued driving above, PennDoT has also reminded drivers to remember such safety precautions as:

• Getting plenty of sleep the night before a long trip.
• Avoid traveling at night or times that you would normally be sleeping.
• Try to schedule a break once every two hours or every 100 miles, even if it is just to get out and stretch for a few minutes. Fresh air often aids alertness.
• Avoid eating heavily before you leave or at rest stops.
• When possible, travel with a partner who can take the wheel if you begin feeling uncomfortable.
• Always avoid medications that cause drowsiness.
• Get plenty of rest the day and night before a long trip.

Remember, just like alcohol, being overly tired can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. So, if you have a trip planned please take the proper precautions to ensure that wherever you are going you will arrive alive.