BECKLEY -- According to a health report out this month, nearly 2 million people have had accidents or near-misses over the past year because they were driving while sleepy. Sleep studies showed more than 1 million Americans fail to get a good night's sleep. A recent study found West Virginians were among the most sleep deprived. The report found this is where the problem begins: Sleep disorders make for drowsy drivers. Doctors said when you combine these types of issues with sleep-inducing medications or long hours at work, you're looking at disaster on the pavement. Police and physicians said these sleepy drivers are as much of a risk on the roads as those driving under the influence.

"If you feel yourself having drowsiness while you're driving, you should not allow that to continue. You need to take corrective action. Number one, if there's a safe place to pull over and take a nap, do that. That can be a great help. 15, 30 minutes of a nap can really solve the problem and help you get home," said Dr. Charles Porterfield.

Police said those caught driving under the influence of medications that cause drowsiness can potentially face charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.