Tips to help avoid drowsy driving

Every driver is prone to becoming drowsy while behind the wheel. If this happens to you, it’s critical to get off the road as quickly as possible. From there, you can decide how to best proceed with your safety in mind.

While there is no guaranteed way to avoid drowsy driving, here are some tips that can help:

• Get more sleep: If you continually find yourself tired while driving, do your best to sleep more at night. And if that doesn’t work, consult with your doctor as you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.

• Don’t drink and drive: Alcohol can increase your level of drowsiness, while also impairing your judgment.

• Don’t take medication before driving: If a particular medication lists drowsiness as a side effect, don’t take it in the hours before driving. Wait until you reach your destination before doing so.

• Avoid driving when drowsiness is most common: For example, don’t drive in the middle of the night unless you’re used to doing so for your job, such as if you’re employed as a truck driver or work the night shift.

These tips can help reduce the risk of drowsy driving, which enhances your safety. What they can’t do is help others on the road, such as truckers who are not getting enough rest on long trips.

If another driver’s drowsiness results in an accident, move your car out of traffic, call 911 and check yourself and passengers for injuries.

Only after you receive treatment should you turn your attention to the cause of the crash, filing an insurance claim and seeking compensation for damage to your vehicle, your injuries and other losses.