How many of you have fallen asleep behind the wheel? Completely spaced out and don't remember driving to your destination? Have done the eyelid shuffle? Well... AAA just came out with a new study that claims drivers who lack sleep, those who sleep only 4-5 hours on a regular basis, are driving in the same state of mind as if they had a blood alcohol level at or a little above .08%. With a rise in road congestion, people are getting on the road earlier and getting home later, forcing people to wake up earlier and go to bed later. There are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done and sleep resulting in a huge incline of collisions related to driving while drowsy, and as a professional driver, you must evaluate and assess your ability to drive safely. Are you one of the likely population to drive drowsy? ▪Driver’s who don’t get enough sleep ▪Commercial drivers ▪Shift workers ▪Driver’s with untreated sleep disorders ▪Driver’s who take medications Can you tell if drowsy driving has effected your behind-the-wheel abilities? ▪The driver is alone and more likely to be male ▪A single vehicle drifts off the road and hits a stationary object ▪Most are rear-end or head-on collisions ▪There is no evidence of braking or evasive maneuvers ▪Many involve serious injuries and/or fatalities ▪Happens either –between midnight - 6 am –or in mid-afternoon Well... You don't have to be a drowsy driving statisic! Follow these simple suggestions to limit your potential of harming yourself or others by driving drowsy: 1) Take a break very 2-hours or 100 miles 2) Wait 20 minutes for your coffee's caffeine to take effect 3) Pull over and take a brisk walk 4) Make smart snack choices 5) Change activities to re-energize you and wake up your mind and most importantly... Get some sleep! For more information on the facts about drowsy driving, check out these sources: https://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdrowsydriving/ http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving%20Safety/Drowsy%20Driving http://drowsydriving.org/about/
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Inclement weather can come in the forms of rain, ice, snow, or even high winds. As a driver, you must prepare your vehicle, your attitude, and your driving for anything that comes your way on the road. Below are some great tips and tricks that will help you be the professional driver behind-the-wheel no matter what.
Prep your vehicle: Rainex windows, mirrors, and lights. Clear any debris stuck between the wiper and the windshield. Make sure your tires have good amount of tread and are properly inflated. Assure that the defrost works in order to avoid foggy windows. Make sure your gas tank is at least half full Do NOT pour hot liquid onto an iced over windshield. If necessary, know how to put on snow chains. Prep yourself: Leave early in anticipation of traffic. If you don't have to drive anywhere, DON'T! Avoid driving fatigued. Taking on inclement weather requires a ton of energy. Keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle. Prep your driving: Avoid using your brakes, if you can. Take your foot off of the accelerator to slow down. Keep visually aware of other vehicles and obstructions. Slow way down. Give yourself 6-8 seconds following distance. Make sure your headlights AND taillights are on. Avoid standing water. Watch for Black Ice Leave us a comment on what you do to prepare for driving in bad weather! |