Many drivers asleep at wheel, survey finds

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Two out of five U.S. drivers admit having fallen asleep at the wheel, a survey finds.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey released Monday indicates that one-tenth of drivers have done so in the past year.

More than a quarter of those surveyed admitted they had trouble keeping their eyes open while driving in the previous month.

Drivers may not always be aware of the effects of fatigue from lack of sleep, AAA warned.

This is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation, and AAA urged drivers to recognize the seriousness of the danger.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 16.5 percent of fatal crashes involve a sleepy driver.

"When you are behind the wheel of a car, being sleepy is very dangerous. Sleepiness decreases awareness, slows reaction time, and impairs judgment, just like drugs or alcohol, contributing to the possibility of a crash," said Peter Kissinger, head of the AAA Foundation.

The telephone survey of 2,000 U.S. residents ages 16 and older was conducted May 11 through June 7.