19 June 2009
Driving safety tips
This year’s death toll on our roads are, once again, shocking. Here are some helpful tips on how to drive safely.
With the hectic pace of today, you might be getting so run down you’re too tired to drive safely. That could turn your festive season into a tragedy. “I’ve heard them all, from chewing ice to chewing sunflower seeds to people taking off a shoe and sticking a foot out the window,” Drobnich says.
- Get a good night’s rest before a long trip — at least 8 hours for adults and 8.5 to 9.25 hours for teens.
- On long trips, take a passenger who stays awake to talk to the driver.
- Schedule regular stops – every 150 kilometres or 2 hours.
- Avoid alcohol or medications that may impair you.
- Recognise signs of fatigue — drifting from your lane, hitting rumble strips, repeated yawning, trouble keeping your eyes open, tailgating or missing road signs.
- If you are tired, pull into a rest area and sleep for 15 to 45 minutes.
- Drink coffee — but remember it takes about 30 minutes for the caffeine to get into your bloodstream.
- Walk around and do a few exercises.
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