Baymont Inns & Suites: Prevent Memorial Day Road Trips from Becoming Deadly; ``Drive Revived'' with Tips for Staying Awake on the Road.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2003

A challenging economy has transportation officials expecting more people than ever to travel by car to their vacation destinations this year. Long hours behind the wheel this Memorial Day weekend, coupled with a less-than-average amount of sleep, can be a potentially deadly combination.

During the Memorial Day weekend alone the National Safety Council (NSC) predicts that nearly 500 people will die in auto crashes, and more than 26,000 people will suffer nonfatal disabling injuries. Unfortunately, many of these deaths and injuries will be attributed to drowsy driving.

Sleep deprivation is a problem that is carrying over from the bedroom to U.S. roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that sleepiness causes more than 100,000 automobile crashes, 1,500 fatalities, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in economic costs each year. Drive Revived(TM), a program from Baymont Inns & Suites, aims to help travelers better understand the warning signs in an effort to prevent falling asleep at the wheel.

As part of the Drive Revived program, weary travelers can stop in for a quick break at any of Baymont Inns & Suites' more than 180 properties nationwide before continuing on their way. The hotels provide free coffee and bottled water 24 hours a day to anyone who stops, regardless of whether they stay the night. For drivers who are too tired to continue, a special walk-in "Drive Revived" room rate (subject to availability) is offered to help them rest up before getting back behind the wheel.

The Problem

"British researchers have discovered that extreme sleep deprivation impairs brain function similar to that found in people with a blood alcohol content of .10," said Courtney Caldwell, automotive and travel safety expert from American Woman Road & Travel. "While drunk driving is a very serious problem, drowsy driving can be equally devastating and is something about which travelers need to be aware. As Memorial Day and the upcoming summer travel months approach, it's important for travelers to get adequate sleep to help them arrive to their destinations safely, whether it's across town or across the country."

According to the NSC, the human body often compensates for a lack of sleep by taking "micro sleeps". These tiny naps last only a few seconds but can have deadly results; a car going 55 mph can travel more than the length of a football field during a four-second nap.

"Hectic schedules can put something as important as sleep on the backburner," said Caldwell. "Drive Revived not only addresses the issue of drowsy driving, but offers American motorists a solution to help reduce the number of drowsy driving accidents."

Who's At Risk?

Because sleep is a necessary and often uncontrollable function, all drivers are susceptible to falling asleep at the wheel (especially those with untreated sleep disorders) - not just commercial truck drivers, which is a common misconception. In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that approximately 96 percent of sleep-related crashes involve passenger vehicle drivers; only three percent involve drivers of large trucks.

Sleep loss, repetitive driving patterns, sedating medications and alcohol also are leading factors in sleep-related accidents.

Prevention

Drive Revived places a heavy emphasis on providing travelers with the information they need to prevent drowsy driving related accidents. Tip sheets are available at all Baymont Inns & Suites and at www.DriveRevived.com. Some of the most common ways to prevent drowsy driving include:

-- Planning ahead for sufficient, quality sleep

-- Avoiding alcohol, even in small amounts

-- Driving with another person awake in the vehicle

-- Avoiding driving between midnight and 6 a.m.

-- Taking frequent breaks and 15- to 20-minute naps as needed 

-- Consuming caffeine equivalent to two cups of coffee

About Baymont Inns & Suites

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Baymont Inns & Suites, a mid-priced lodging chain that operates or franchises 182 locations in 31 states nationwide, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS). For more information on The Marcus Corporation, go to www.marcuscorp.com. For more information on Baymont Inns & Suites, visit www.baymontinns.com.

Baymont Inns & Suites continues to be a leading brand in the mid-market segment. The brand offers a 110% Satisfaction Guarantee, and has made a huge investment in its frequent-stay program - Guest Ovations(R) -with more than 250,000 members and growing. Under the 110% Satisfaction Guarantee, if any guest is dissatisfied with any aspect of his or her night's stay and the hotel is unable to resolve the problem, the guest will receive their night's stay for free, plus a coupon for a 10 percent discount on their next stay at any Baymont Inns & Suites hotel.

In addition, Baymont's Ovations Rooms offer upscale amenities not found in competitive mid-market hotels, such as plush pillow-top mattresses, Down Lite(TM) pillows, fluffy towels, branded bath products, and free in-room bottled water. The rooms also feature an enhanced workstation with an executive-sized desk, comfortable ergonomic chair and task lamp with a data port.