How Alertness Helps Prevent a Car Accident

Hogan Injury reports:

"Vehicle crashes on the road happen for many reasons. Whether you were hit by a reckless driver, [or] subjected to a crash because you were in the vicinity of other cars colliding, or whether someone fell asleep at the wheel, vehicle crashes can lead to consequences that last long after the damaged vehicles are hauled off of the road.
In many collision scenarios, there is nothing you can do to avoid the accident. However, maintaining your alertness on the road can help you to avoid accidents at least some of the time.

What are some of the things you can do to stay alert?

• If you’re tired, stop driving. Many accidents happen because of sleepiness. If you are on a long road trip, there is no reason to keep pushing yourself past the point of fatigue. It’s simply not worth it. Experts recommend that drivers take a break at least once every two hours. Not only will your own driving be safer, but you will [also] be able to more readily attend to the potentially dangerous actions of other drivers.
• Scan from left to right and check your mirrors. Many drivers take the phrase 'stay in your lane' to the extreme–they don’t even take a moment to check their mirrors! Remember what you learned in driver’s ed: [C]heck each of your mirrors regularly, including every time you make an unusual move such as changing lanes, slowing down and stopping, and before and after making a turn.
• Don’t check your phone while driving under any circumstances. No call or text is worth a car accident. If you can’t resist the urge, turning your phone off before turning the key in the ignition could save you thousands of dollars in repairs and even prevent a life-altering injury."