How to Fight Drowsy Driving and Stay Safe On the Road

​Driving requires that you are alert, focused, skillful  and cautious as you sit behind the wheel.  We all know this is true, but most of us are also guilty of driving while too tired and feeling the eyes begin to get heavy. Will you listen to your body and pull over or will you continue driving to get home at once?  

In 2013 alone, there were 800 fatalities that were caused by lethargic driving condition. It's also safe to assume that all accidents related to drowsy driving are not reported so numbers could go higher than what were shown.  

People who are prone to drowsy driving can be one of the following:

• Bus, cab and truck drivers
• Shift workers
• Drivers who are on certain medications
• People who lack sleep or have untreated sleep problems​

The truth is though, that anyone can fall asleep while driving, not just those who are susceptible.

5 Ways to Avoid Drowsy Driving:

• Get Enough Quality Sleep -  If this is something new to you, here's a guide on getting a better sleep.  Get at least seven to nine hours of sleep before you hit the road.
• Utilize the warning system for heavy-vehicle and high-end vehicle drivers -  A system that was developed by some car manufacturers to alert a drowsy driver and prevent him from progressing his drowsiness to sleep.  
• Shift workers should follow a sleep pattern -  A shift worker may have rotating schedules but it doesn't mean that sleep pattern needs to be ruined by this condition.  Decide what time to sleep each day and do your best to stick to it.  Another important thing is the presence of adequate duration and quality in each sleep session that you take.   If you sleep during the day, drop the curtains to make your room darker. 
• Adjust your sleep time accordingly -  If you need to go out of the country with a different time zone, slowly adjust your sleeping time with that of the new time zone.  By the time that you are in the new location, you have readily adapted your sleeping pattern.  Likewise, if you are anticipating to go on a long road trip prepare for it by getting ample rest.  
• Consult your doctor for unavoidable sleepiness -  If you are constantly tired for no apparent reason, then it's time you seek some professional advice.

6 Drowsiness Symptoms To Watch Out For
Knowledge about the signs of looming drowsiness is a must to prevent accidents.  When tiredness is taking over your ability to concentrate, you need to step on the brakes and pullover. Below are your cues.

• Yawning frequently
• Missing the road signs and traffic signals
• Frequent blinking and having a hard time to keep your eyes open
• Feeling that your head is heavy
• Drifting and incoherent thoughts
• Short-tempered and out-of-focus

Always take into consideration that a driver's role transcends beyond arriving to your destination.  There are more meaningful responsibilities that are attached to it.  Amongst are your safety and the welfare of the people around you.  So if you feel sleepy behind the wheels, grab the nearest opportunity to get that sleep, while your car is parked of course.  

At the Libertoski Insurance Group we take the safety of our clients just as seriously as we take saving them money. Everyone can have an accident any time you step on the road, which makes having the right coverage before you need it necessary. If you're not sure about your current auto insurance coverages, or just want to find out if we can save you some money give us a call at (657) 218-4349 or get an online car insurance quote today.