| Every year during the holiday season TV, radio, | | | | Get a cup of coffee or tea and relax for 10 minutes |
| newspapers and others talk a lot about the hazards of | | | | before you dive back in to the frenzy. |
| drunk driving and remind us to be careful. Extra police | | | | Holiday Fatigue |
| are on the streets and many cities set up sobriety | | | | Another danger that is often forgotten, but also a huge |
| checkpoints to catch drunk drivers on nights when | | | | problem during this hectic time of year, is driving while |
| there are likely to be more parties. | | | | drowsy. Falling asleep at the wheel is obviously the |
| This extra focus reduces the number of | | | | most dangerous result, but tired drivers also tend to be |
| alcohol-related traffic accidents and makes all of us | | | | more irritable and impatient. |
| safer on the road during the holidays. Drunk drivers | | | | This year like normal there will no doubt be many |
| aren't the only hazard on the road during the holidays, | | | | people who leave work on Friday and start out on |
| though. While most of us would never dream of | | | | long-distance trips to be with family or friends. College |
| getting behind the wheel drunk, we could still be | | | | students whose holiday break begin after classes on |
| creating serious dangers without thinking about it. | | | | Friday may be headed home as well. |
| Holiday Madness | | | | Here are some recommendations you should consider |
| Juggling normal responsibilities with shopping, parties, | | | | and pass along to family members and friends who |
| and extra school events can make a normally safe | | | | may be traveling by car during the holidays: |
| driver a literal wreck. Even if you are always calm and | | | | *Don't start your journey tired. Be aware of the risks if |
| collected, remember that other drivers may be more | | | | you get up unusually early to start your trip or leave |
| on edge than usual and take these precautions. | | | | directly from work or school when you are tired. |
| *Be extra patient and make allowances for other | | | | *Plan your trip to include a 15-minute break every two |
| people and the mistakes they make. Don't forget to | | | | hours. |
| watch out for pedestrians as well as other drivers. | | | | *Make sure that you and everyone on your trip is |
| *Try to keep your attention on what you are doing. | | | | carrying emergency contact information and valid |
| Not only could they cause you to make a mistake, but | | | | identification. |
| cell phones, eating and other distractions keep you | | | | *Share the driving if possible. Safety experts |
| from paying attention to other people and the silly | | | | recommend switching off every three hours. |
| errors they can make. | | | | *You're too tired to drive if you start drifting from your |
| *Be especially careful in parking lots crammed with | | | | lane, hitting rumble strips, yawning repeatedly, having |
| cars and pedestrians at this time of year. Take it a little | | | | difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open, missing |
| slower than normal to avoid fender benders or worse. | | | | road signs or tailgating. |
| *Take note of your emotions and consider taking a | | | | Pull over to a safe place as soon as possible, drink a |
| break if you get too stressed out, irritated or emotional. | | | | high caffeine drink and take a 15-minute nap. |