It’s important to remain alert when you’re behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. If drowsiness sets in, it’s critical to pull to safety and consider what to do next. Continuing to drive while tired can result in a serious accident.
Rather than deal with drowsy driving as it hits you, it’s better to prevent it in the first place. Here are some of the best ways of doing so:
- Get plenty of rest: If you know you’ll be behind the wheel the next day, get as much sleep as possible the night before. This is a particularly good idea if you’re taking a long road trip.
- Don’t drive at night: When possible, drive during the daylight hours.
- Don’t drive alone: Not only can a passenger help keep you alert, but you can also share the driving if necessary.
- Use caffeine: You shouldn’t rely solely on this way of preventing drowsy driving, but it may give you the short-term boost you need to safely reach your destination.
- Take breaks: When driving a long distance, take regular breaks to rest your mind and body. This is also a good time to grab a healthy snack that can provide you with energy for the rest of your trip.
When you take steps to prevent drowsy driving, you’ll feel better about your ability to prevent trouble on the road.
Unfortunately, other drivers don’t always take the same caution, meaning they may fall asleep at the wheel. If one of these drivers causes an accident, move to safety, call for help and receive medical treatment. This will eventually lead you to file an insurance claim and take steps to protect your legal rights.