How To Avoid New York Car Accidents Caused By Fatigue

After a tragic New York car accident took the lives of four people this month, the dangers of fatigued driving are all too clear. Below, find some helpful tips on how to stay awake and alert behind the wheel when driving in New York.

• If you are taking a long trip, stop every two hours even if you don’t feel tired. Take that time to stretch your legs, move your body, get a caffeinated drink, and rest your eyes.
• Don’t be afraid to catnip. Rest areas are located along highways and interstates for a reason – use them! Even a 15-minute nap can help you become more alert – and keep you and other drivers safe.
• Beware of the legal drugs you may be taking. Some over-the-counter and prescription drugs can cause drowsiness, especially cough medicine. Being aware of how your body reacts to these medications can help you plan your trip.
• Sometimes it is difficult to tell you are fatigued, so look for warning sins: you have hit rumble strips several times. You are having trouble keeping your eyes open. You have missed a turn due to inattention. You are tailgating by accident.
• Don’t plan too many hours of driving in one day. Safety advocates believe that more than eight hours of driving per day can be dangerous.
• Don’t plan to drive through the night after a day of work.
• If you have the option, keep a passenger awake next to you in the car. The passenger can help keep you alert and can look for signs of drowsiness that the driver may not see.
• Get a healthy amount of sleep the day before a long road trip.