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Overcome The Hazards of Driving with Fatigue

A survey revealed that 40% of Irish adults have experienced driver fatigue at some point of time in a given year. Studies show that sleep can impair driving as much as alcohol. According to the American Automobile Association, in every six traffic accident, one is caused by drowsy driving. It is a shocking revelation that at least a quarter of the drivers have reported finding it difficult to keep their eyes open when they have been behind the wheels. Chances of dozing off are higher when you are driving long distances at night. By now you must be wondering what to do to stay awake and keep driving.

Symptoms to look out for

Most importantly, tiredness and fatigue can affect your driving much before you realize it. The crashes related to fatigue are more severe as in most cases as the driver’s responses are delayed as he fails to maneuver on time towards safety. Be aware of the symptoms of fatigue while driving which include heavy eye-lids, yawning frequently or varying the speed of your vehicle for no specific reason. A study conducted recently reveals that driving 80 minutes constantly without a break can increase the danger of the motorists on the road. Further, it has been found that drivers who take more frequent brakes react faster than those who do not beak up long journeys.

Eat to stay awake

One of the easy ways is to keep your taste buds awake and drink an energy drink. A tangy food like lemon can help you to stay awake and avoid accidents. You can consider a cup of coffee which contains caffeine and will help you to stay awake. It is wiser to avoid sugar which can lead to drowsiness and lead to brain fog. One of the best ways to refresh yourself is to wipe your face and neck with a wet cloth fragranced with cologne.

Tips you should not overlook

Before you start a long journey, decide before hand where you want to stop. You should give yourself ample time to reach your destination and schedule regular breaks. The best way to avert the risks of fatigued driving is to share the driving during the journey. More so, inside the car, adjust the temperature of your air conditioner to a degree lesser than which you are most comfortable in. This will keep you awake and prevent you from dozing off at the wheels. Apart from this, you should adjust the driving seat to an upright position such that the base of your wrists are touching the top of the steering wheel.
As the last word, choose a car insurance that provides a comprehensive cover for all injuries, losses and fatalities. Compare car insurance on all parameters (aside price) before zeroing on one. Although sleeping behind the wheels is not illegal, but driving in fatigue with your eyes half-closed equals driving with an impairment. Let this blog be a wakeup call for you and turn you into a more alert driver.

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Traveling With Your Furry Friend Has Never Been Simpler

Just like you, your pet needs to be buckled up when it is traveling. When you restrain your pet properly, you can prevent the hurt which is caused by a crash. Moreover you can stop your pet from flying forward once you buckle it up. Restraining the pet is important both for its safety and yours. No longer will your pet be a distraction when you are concentrating on driving. Today, harnesses come in various sizes which are easy to fasten and will fit your pet perfectly. For a comfortable fit make sure that the harness fits right.

Acclimatizing with travel

If you are unlucky, your pet might dislike traveling by cars. In that case, try to acclimatize it with travel till it is comfortable. Once it is familiar with the travel, chances of it running into stress will be lowered. Before embarking on a long trip, make sure that you visit the vet and administer all the necessary vaccinations to your pet, alongside look for a car insurance that provides a comprehensive cover for 24 hours break-down assistance. If you have plans of traveling across borders, obtain the most recent health certificate. Do get in touch with the government of the province you plan to visit, as requirements may vary from one province to another.

Carry all the essentials

During travel make sure that you are equipped with all the essentials. Carry ample supply of your pet food so that you do not have to stop frequently before your final destination to pick up pet-food. Most importantly, it is not a good idea to introduce your pet to a new brand when you are on the go. Other essentials you you must carry along include water, the toys which your pet is fond of and remains engaged with, bowls which he is familiar with, bedding and a litter box.

When you hit the road

Your pet may love to stick his head out of the window, but do not allow him to do so. It is not safe as your pet may be easily injured with the flying debris. Keep a close watch on your pet’s food intake and feed him to the minimum. Make sure that he is well hydrated during the trip. Groom your pet well ahead of time which will ensure a pleasant experience for everyone in the car. Furthermore, never leave your pet unattended in the vehicle. To sum up, the last piece of advice which we would like to throw in is book pet-friendly accommodations well in advance which offers your furry friend a comfortable stay.

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Essential Child Car Safety Tips You Must Know

A survey on child car safety reveals some sobering facts. In 2011, in United States alone more than 650 children below the age of 12 years lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes. An alarming 33% of the children who died in the crash were not buckled up. The use of car seat reduced the risk of death for the infants by a sharp 71%. When booster seats were used, it reduced the risk of serious injury by 45% for children aged between 4 to 8 years. These statistics indicate the vital importance of buckling children properly in their car seats.

Exercise precaution

Know which safety precaution is ideal for your child after into take into consideration the stage they are in. Make sure that you install the car seats and the booster seats after consulting a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. You must not seat your children in front of an air bag. If your children are riding in the front eat, the detonation of the air bag can pose a serious threat. It is surprising to note the awareness gap which exists. Although 96% of parents believe that they have installed the child safety seats correctly, only a small 10% of the children are properly restrained.

Install the right safety seats

There are some common mistakes we make when installing child safety seats. Most of the times we do not use the child safety seat which is appropriate for the child’s size and age. Additionally, it is important that we place the seat in the right direction. Using a defective or a broken child safety seat can give rise to serious accidents and compromise your little one’s safety. It has been seen that using booster seats is safer for kids than restraining them with a seat belt alone. In addition to the safety measures, one should also take a car insurance that covers all third party from injuries, damages & roadside assistance.

Ensure that the kids are happy

Driving with bored and unhappy children can be very distracting. It can make it difficult for you to concentrate and drive safely. Take a little time out to chat while you drive. This will distract your child. Do not forget to point out of the window, ask your tot to sing along with you or recite his favorite nursery rhyme. It can help a great deal if you praise your child for exhibiting good car behavior. If he has not tried to wriggle out of the seatbelt or has not been playing with the locks, he deserves a praise during the journey for the great behavior. If you want to focus on your driving better, store mgnetic board games and coloring books in the back of the car.
It is recommended that you have a stock of goodies in your car which will keep your child busy. Double check to ensure that the seat belt has not been fastened too tightly which can cause discomfort to your child. Driving is a big responsibility and the risks are higher when you have a child with you in the car.