Avoid the three D's of deadly driving, and stay safe on the road.
Photo credit: flckr user frina

The holidays are over, but safe driving is always in season. The following are some of AAA’s simple suggestions, courtesy of the letter D, for staying safe on the roads.

Drowsy driving: Drivers should have seven to nine hours of sleep before taking the wheel. While driving, take a break every 100 miles or every two hours. Do not drive during hours when you routinely sleep, and if you feel tired while driving, pull over to a safe location and take a 20- to 30-minute nap.

Drunken or drugged driving: Impairment does not begin when a potential driver feels he or she has had enough to drink; rather, it begins with the first sip of alcohol. A designated driver should be completely alcohol-free. Additionally, many medications have side effects that cause impairment, so read medication labels thoroughly.     

Distracted driving: It is the driver’s responsibility to keep eyes, mind and body fully focused on the task of driving. Assign a passenger to be the designated texter, talker and navigator. When traveling alone, pull over to a safe location to use phone or adjust navigation device, then proceed distraction free. Children and pets can be distractions to drivers, so allow another adult passenger to interact with these family members.