There’s a good chance you’ve gotten behind the wheel at a time when you haven’t exactly felt the most alert. But did you know that each year, fatigue is reported as the principal cause of up to 100,000 police-reported accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?

It may not be taken as seriously as say, drunk driving, but fatigue can easily impair a driver to the point of causing an accident. The potential results of an accident are obvious deterrents – increased auto insurance rates, injury or even death – so think twice about driving while drowsy. Here are a few tips to help you deal with fatigue when you are driving:

* Get your sleep. It may seem obvious, but if you know you’ll be doing a lot of driving the next day, make sure you get the amount of sleep your body requires the night before. If you’re making an afternoon trip and you have a chance to take a nap earlier in the day, take advantage of it.

* Don’t be a hero. If you’re traveling with someone else with a valid driver’s license, don’t be embarrassed to ask them to drive. Most car insurance coverage is with the car, not the driver, so your friend will be covered. If you’re driving alone, don’t be afraid to pull off at a rest stop for a quick nap to rejuvenate yourself.

* Pay attention to your diet. Carb-heavy foods will often make you drowsy, so take that into account. Caffeine is not a substitute for sleep, but if you think you would benefit from a little extra boost, keep in mind that it usually takes about 30 minutes for your body to process caffeine in a beverage.

* Take frequent breaks. Even if you aren’t tired, a break every hour or two will keep your blood flowing and increase your alertness.

Remember, the most important part of any trip is making it to your destination safely, so if you think you are too tired to go on, play it safe. For more tips on safe driving, visit car insurance provider Allstate at www.Allstate.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent