The next time you feel drowsy while driving, make sure you pull over. That's the word from several State agencies and organizations that are teaming up to fight drowsy driving.

"Drowsy driving is a contributing factor in thousands of preventable motor vehicle crashes each year," said DMV Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala. "As it gets dark earlier, motorists should be particularly alert to the warning signs of fatigue and avoid driving while drowsy."

According to a recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation, 43 percent of Americans ages 13 to 64 say they rarely or never get a good night's sleep on weeknights. More than half of Americans say they experience a sleep problem every night or almost every night, and about 63 percent say they don't get enough sleep during the week.

If that's not enough to startle you, consider this: Two out of five drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel, with one in ten saying they've done so in the past year.

"Drowsy driving can be every bit as deadly as speeding or driving while impaired with alcohol or drugs," said Joseph DiAmico, New York State Police Superintendent. "Yet few people recognize the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while fatigued or sleep deprived."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes each year, resulting in an estimated 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries. In 2010, there were more than 1,200 motor vehicle crashes in New York State in which fatigue/drowsiness was listed as a contributing factor and more than 3,300 that involved a driver falling asleep at the wheel. And while those numbers may be staggering, the agency actually believes drowsy driving is underreported.

If you're on this list, you should pay particular attention. Drivers facing the highest risk for crashes due to drowsy driving include: commercial truck drivers; late-night shift workers; parents taking care of young children; people with untreated sleep disorders; and young drivers.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of young people ages 16-24 and fatigue is a common contributing factor. Studies show 36 percent of teens drive drowsy on a regular basis and, out of all of the crashes caused by fatigue, 55 percent involve drivers under the age of 25.

Here are some warning signs of drowsy driving to stay alert for: difficulty in keeping one's eyes open, repeated yawning, wandering or disconnected thoughts, drifting from the driving lane and failure to remember the last few miles driven.

Make sure you get adequate sleep before driving and take breaks about every 100 miles or two hours on long trips. On long trips, drivers should bring a passenger to help them stay awake and share the driving responsibilities. Never drink alcohol before driving and always be aware of the potential side effects of any medications you're taking as some cause drowsiness.

If you're driving and feel drowsy, pull over. Some people try opening a window, turning on air conditioning or playing loud music. But officials say those aren't effective and caffeine offers only keeps you alert for a short time.

You can find more driver safety tips and information by clicking here.

Have you ever driven drowsy? How widespread do you think the problem is? Do you think it's underreported? Leave your thoughts below.