By Tony Rehn

Between 2006-2008, drowsy drivers contributed to 77 (4.5 percent) of fatal crashes in Washington state, according to the state Department of Transportation. And nationally, drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.

Many of these tragedies are avoidable. The Washington State Patrol recently shared some tips to help prevent drowsy driving:

· Get a good night’s sleep before hitting the road

· Take a break every two hours or 100 miles to refresh

· Use the buddy system to keep you awake and share driving chores

· Avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness as a side effect

· Avoid driving when you would normally be sleeping

If you drive over the mountain passes or any other icy road, follow these tips:

· Do not use cruise control.

· Carry chains.

· If you find yourself behind a snowplow, stay behind it until it is safe to pass. A snowplow driver has a limited field of vision. Stay back 15 car lengths until you’re sure it is safe to pass or until the plow pulls off the road.

· Keep a basic winter survival kit in your vehicle that includes flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots and first-aid kit.

Auto manufacturers such as Ford now offer features to assist drivers in staying safe. For example, at Evergreen Ford, our new Fusion has a Lane Keeping Technology that can warn drivers, through chimes, lights and vibrations, if they are drifting out of their lane. However, these types of advances do not take the place of having drivers follow safe practices.

More safe winter driving is available online.

Tony Rehn is General Manager/Partner of Evergreen Ford in Issaquah.