Sounding the Alarm on Drowsy Driving: Super 8 by Wyndham Partners with Actor Giacomo Gianniotti to Launch #JourneySafe Campaign

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Super 8^® by Wyndham, the world's largest economy hotel brand and trusted roadside companion, in partnership with philanthropist and actor Giacomo Gianniotti, announced today the launch of its new #JourneySafe campaign to help raise awareness and educate the public around the dangers of drowsy driving, which causes more than 100,000 crashes annually.ⁱ

The campaign kicks-off during National Sleep Awareness Month and just ahead of Daylight Saving Time (March 10), when many Americans will lose an hour of sleep. More than one out of three working Americans are already sleep deprived,ⁱⁱ a condition that's only heightened by the changing of the clocks.

To spread its message to drivers across America, Super 8 is issuing a national call to action to #JourneySafe and get off of the road at the first signs of feeling drowsy. The campaign is anchored by a new PSA-style video featuring iconic dashboard accessories—a hula girl, a football bobble head and a bobbing dog—that come to life to alert drivers of the warning signs of drowsy driving. The video will air nationally across a variety of digital platforms and is anticipated to have additional extensions throughout the year, including a presence at Super 8 hotels across the country.

Super 8 is hosting the campaign and video at www.super8.com/journeysafe, where the public can get tips on how to spot signs of drowsy driving. The brand is also encouraging those who see the video to help raise awareness by sharing via their social channels using #JourneySafe and pledging not to drive drowsy.

"As America's trusted roadside companion, Super 8 aims to stand for more than just convenience and comfort, we also want to stand for a safe journey," said Mike Mueller, Super 8 brand leader and senior vice president. "With more than 1,700 locations across the U.S. and Canada alone, our hotels are ready and waiting when you need to pull over and rest. And the safer you are, the further you can go. Journey safe and don't drive drowsy."

Philanthropist and actor Giacomo Gianniotti, who like most others has experienced the signs of drowsy driving in his own day-to-day, echoed Mueller's sentiment and shared, "Drowsy driving is a serious, yet often overlooked, issue that affects everyone, which is why I'm working with Super 8 on this important cause. It's entirely preventable, but doing so requires us all to recognize the signs and take action when we do."

Added Mueller, "Everyone is aware of the dangers of drunk driving, but it's equally important to recognize drowsy driving as a threat on the road. Our hope is that this campaign helps to educate drivers, promoting greater awareness and prevention."

Facts about drowsy driving:

• More than 40% of drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel at least once.ⁱⁱⁱ
• Sleep deprivation can have similar effects on your body as drinking alcohol. A drunk driver can often drive slowly and try to react, but a drowsy driver can nod off while still going fast.^iv
• Research shows that getting less than five hours of sleep and then getting behind the wheel is the same as driving drunk.^v
• Drowsy driving crashes are most common late at night and early in the morning during the body's natural sleep period.^vi

To learn more, visit Super8.com/journeysafe and join the conversation on social media using #JourneySafe.

About Super 8 by Wyndham
For more than four decades, Super 8^® by Wyndham—the world's largest economy hotel brand with nearly 2,900 hotels globally—has served as a trusted and convenient companion on the road. Today, we're on a mission to elevate economy, modernizing the brand for the next generation of traveler with newly redesigned rooms, fast, free Wi-Fi and a complimentary SuperStart^® breakfast.

A strong supporter of our servicemen and women, Super 8 is proud to offer reserved parking for Veterans at all locations across the U.S. and Canada along with a 15% discount to members of the military and their families. To learn more, or to book your next stay, visit www.super8.com. You can also like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/super8) and follow us on Instagram (www.instagram.com/super8). See you on the road.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 810,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in both the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8^®, Days Inn^®, Ramada^®, Microtel Inn & Suites^®, La Quinta^®, Wingate^®, AmericInn^®, Hawthorn Suites^®, The Trademark Collection^®, and Wyndham^®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards^® loyalty program offers approximately 61 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at tens of thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

i  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Retrieved from: https://www.nhtsa.gov
ii Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0215-enough-sleep.html 
iii National Safety Council. Retrieved from: https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatigued-driving 
iv National Safety Council. Retrieved from: https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatigued-driving 
v  AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Retrieved from: https://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/12/missing-1-2-hours-sleep-doubles-crash-risk/ 
vi American Academy for Sleep Medicine. Retrieved from: http://sleepeducation.org/sleep-topics/drowsy-driving

SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

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