It’s often possible to prevent a car accident simply by adopting good driving practices and following certain safety rules.
Distracted at the wheel
Keep your hands on the wheel while you’re driving, and avoid all distractions. Stop your car and pull over to a safe place to:
- Deal with your kids, change a CD or eat
- Text
- Make a call or answer the phone
Driver’s fatigue
One of the most common distractions is caused by driver fatigue. When you’re tired, your reactions are slow. Your judgment is also impaired. If you’ve been awake for 17 hours, your physical and mental performance is weakened. It’s as though you’re driving impaired.
You can avoid driver fatigue by:
- Not driving between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m.
- Sleeping over at a friend’s house or calling a taxi
- Taking breaks every two hours during a long trip
Signs of driver fatigue:
- Loss of concentration
- Drowsiness and yawning
- Slow reactions or not seeing road signs
- Sore or tired eyes
- Boredom or irritability
- Drifting in and out of your lane
