Baymont Inns & Suites: Take Back Your Sleep and Drive Revived.

Business Editors

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2003

- Get educated during National Sleep Awareness Week,

March 31-April 6 -

Spring forward, Fall back. With the coming of spring, those who observe daylight-saving time lose yet another hour of sleep in their already sleep-deprived lives by turning their clocks ahead one hour. The arrival of warmer weather can usually include longer hours in the sun, a less-than-average amount of sleep and lots of time behind the wheel traveling to visit friends and family - a potentially deadly combination.

Drowsy driving is a growing problem on U.S. roads. National Sleep Awareness Week is March 31-April 6, and the perfect time to get educated about the dangers of sleep deprivation. Drive Revived(TM), a new program from Baymont Inns & Suites, aims to help travelers better understand the warning signs in an effort to prevent falling asleep at the wheel. Baymont Inns & Suites' more than 180 properties invite road-weary travelers to stop in for a quick break before continuing on their way. The hotels provide free coffee and bottled water 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to anyone who stops, regardless of whether they stay the night.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates sleepiness causes more than 100,000 automobile crashes, 1,500 fatalities, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in economic costs each year. With the tough economy, even more Americans will choose car travel over air travel and hit the highways for vacations this summer, greatly increasing the risk for fall-asleep crashes.

For drivers who are too tired to continue, Baymont Inns & Suites also offers a special walk-in "Drive Revived" rate to help them rest up before getting back behind the wheel (subject to availability).

The Problem

"Sleepiness impairs reaction time and attention, and it slows down your ability to process information, much the same as alcohol," said Courtney Caldwell, automotive and travel safety expert from American Woman Road & Travel. "National Sleep Awareness Week reminds us all to take a good look at the amount of sleep we get, and where in our lives we can make changes to guarantee getting the sleep we need to get to any destination - whether it be work, school or a cross-country vacation - safely."

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

"In today's world of hectic schedules, something as necessary as sleep can get put to the backburner for more seemingly important tasks," said Caldwell. "Baymont Inns & Suites' Drive Revived program not only addresses the issue of driving drowsy, but offers American motorists a solution to help them arrive at their destinations safely."

Who's at Risk?

It is a common misconception that the most at-risk group for falling asleep behind the wheel is commercial truck drivers. According to a 1998 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately 96 percent of sleep-related crashes involve passenger vehicle drivers; only about three percent involve drivers of large trucks. Because sleep is a necessary and often uncontrollable function, all drivers are susceptible to falling asleep at the wheel; those especially susceptible include people with untreated sleep disorders. Sleep loss, repetitive driving patterns, sedating medications and alcohol also are leading factors in sleep-related accidents.

Prevention

The Drive Revived program places a heavy emphasis on educating travelers 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, good-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 is a mid-priced lodging chain recognized for its high-quality amenities, excellent service and attractive rates. The editors of Lodging Hospitality magazine recently named Baymont Inns & Suites and the Drive Revived program the winner of its "2003 Chain Leadership Marketing Award."

Baymont Inns & Suites, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Marcus Corporation, operates or franchises more than 180 locations in 31 states nationwide. For more information visit www.baymontinns.com or call toll free 1-877-BAYMONT. For more information on The Marcus Corporation, visit www.marcuscorp.com.