Albany - The New York State Thruway Authority announces that HMS Host Family Restaurants, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation and Delaware North Travel and Hospitality Services, the Thruway travel plaza food concessionaires, will once again offer free coffee and tea to all motorists traveling during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Thruway travelers have been offered this service for more than 40 years to help keep motorists warm and alert during late-night or early-morning travels.

The free beverages will be provided at all 27 travel plazas along the Thruway from 11 p.m. on Monday, December 31, until 7 a.m. on Tuesday, New Year’s Day (January 1, 2008).

“Holidays are always busy travel times and motorists are encouraged to take frequent breaks if they are feeling tired,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael Fleischer. “Remaining alert and aware of your surroundings, especially on New Year’s Eve, is essential for safe travel.”

Motorists are reminded to take frequent safety breaks while traveling to avoid drowsy driving. Drowsy driving ranges from falling asleep at the wheel to simply not paying attention to driving because of fatigue or lack of sleep. Warning signs include difficulty keeping your eyes open, repeated yawning, having wandering or disconnected thoughts, drifting from the driving lane, or failure to remember the last few miles driven.

To avoid falling asleep at the wheel, the Authority advises travelers to take turns driving or take frequent breaks at Thruway Travel Plazas every two hours or 100 miles. Such remedies as opening a window, turning on air conditioning, or playing loud music in attempts to stay awake are not effective in fighting drowsiness.