Based on a survey conducted by the Institute for Traffic Safety and Fact Finders, Inc., in 1994, 25 percent of NYS drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel; 55 percent drove drowsy within the past year.

Police-reported crash data underestimates the scope of the problem, because the involvement of drowsiness or fatigue is difficult for police to detect. Based on police accident reports, about one (1) percent of all crashes and about three (3) percent of fatal crashes are due to the driver falling asleep. New York's survey indicated that three (3) percent of drivers had a crash at some point when they fell asleep at the wheel, and two (2) percent had crashed due to drowsiness.

Based on the crash data and survey and focus group research, the following groups of drivers are most at risk: young drivers; male drivers; persons who work long hours, nontraditional work schedules, and/or rotating shifts; commercial drivers; persons who have been drinking or have taken certain medications; and persons with undiagnosed sleep disorders. All drivers are at risk in certain situations, for example, when driving long distances without rest breaks.

Failure to remember the last few miles driven; wandering or disconnected thoughts; difficulty focusing, keeping eyes open, keeping head up; drifting from lane; yawning repeatedly; tailgating or missing signs; jerking car back into lane.

Get a good night's sleep; drive with a passenger; schedule regular stops; avoid alcohol or medications that impair performance; seek medical help for a suspected sleep disorder.

Recognize the warning signs of fatigue; find a safe place to stop; take a brief nap (20 to 40 minutes); drink coffee to promote short-term alertness.

Since 1994, the public and private partners involved in the Task Force on Drowsy Driving have implemented a number of countermeasures, including public information and education programs for the general public (Break for Safety, Drive Alert...Arrive Alive) and for high risk groups, such as commercial drivers; integration of sleep topics into driver training programs; improved crash reporting; installation of rumble strips along the Thruway and interstate roadways; police training; and research.