Staying Awake Behind the Wheel

Falling asleep while driving can cause injury to you or other drivers. Many semi truck accidents each year are caused by exhausted drivers who simply cannot keep their eyes open. Commercial trucks can be used to transport valuable goods across our nation. However, if you are fatigued, these vehicles can quickly become deadly weapons.

Before even getting behind the wheel, make sure you are awake and alert. If you feel tired, stop at a motel to get some sleep. If you are not near a motel, find a truck stop where you can find some rest in the sleeper berth.

If you begin to feel tired while driving, the following tips may help you avoid an 18 wheeler accident:

Take several deep breaths: By saturating your blood cells with oxygen, you may feel more alert for a short time.

• Keep your window open: If you are driving with your windows up and the heat on, you may become more tired. While it may be uncomfortable, opening your window and allowing fresh air into your truck may keep you awake. However, do not rely on fresh air to keep you out of tractor-trailer accidents. Find a rest stop as soon as possible.
• Drive during the day: Try to schedule long drives during the day.
• Take breaks: If you know you have a long trip ahead of you, plan to take scheduled breaks for resting.

Ultimately, the best way to avoid semi truck accidents is to be well rested before driving. You should never take any kind of drug to stay awake. If you feel tired, your best option is to stop driving and sleep. If you have been in an accident, please contact trucking accident attorneys today.