Nearly 60% of U.S. Drivers Have Felt "Sleepy" Behind the Wheel, New Study Finds

This is downright frightening.

While a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that nearly 40% of U.S. drivers felt "drowsy" while behind the wheel, this number is disputed by the National Sleep Foundation - who found that the actual number is roughly 1/3 higher - at nearly 60%.

Even at the lower number, this statistic is alarming - or should be. Leaving aside for the moment the dangers inherent in texting while driving - a scourge to be sure - the manifest danger posed by driving while drowsy (as highlighted by the recent Upstate New York bus crash) is certainly noteworthy as well.

Lest you think that simply drinking a cup of coffee or a can of Coke will do the trick, the study indicates that they aren't nearly effective enough.

Here are some short-term recommendations to avoid this danger:

1. Take a break every 2 hours or 100 miles;
2. Schedule trips for times that you would normally be awake;
3. If you start to feel drowsy while driving, pull over at a safe rest stop and take a nap.