You love driving, and you love having an excuse to head out in your car. However, there are instances where you most certainly should not drive. Doing so can put yourself and others at risk, so how do you know when to avoid driving. Here are three signs that you definitely shouldn’t drive tonight:
YOUR EYES ARE STRAINED AND YOU FEEL TIRED
Don’t underestimate the consequences of driving while tired. When you’re tired, your eyes feel sore and you lose concentration. Furthermore, your reactions slow down, so you can be really slow on the old brake pedal. At the extreme end of the scale, your eyes may close, so you can’t see a thing!
Realistically, you should stop driving if you feel tired. Watch out for these signs while you’re driving, but also be aware of them before you drive. If you need to go somewhere, but you feel really lethargic and can barely keep your eyes open, don’t get behind the wheel of a car!!
YOU’VE BEEN DRINKING ALCOHOL OR PLAN TO DO SO
Drink driving is the cause of many road accidents and deaths every single year. That’s not the nicest thing to think about, but the fact is you could kill someone if you drive after drinking. So, if you drove somewhere – then had a few drinks – don’t drive home. Book a taxi and then go and pick your car up when you’re sober.
The same goes for if you plan on drinking. If you have planned to go out with your friends, that’s a sign you shouldn’t drive. Otherwise, your car is in the parking lot of the bar, tempting you to drive it home. Instead, organize transport with your friends. If there’s a large group of you, rent a minibus through companies like US Coachways. If you’re traveling alone, just book an Uber or walk to your destination. The bottom line is that, if there’s alcohol involved, it’s a sign you shouldn’t drive tonight.
YOU FEEL VERY STRESSED AND YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR MIND
Stressful driving isn’t something that’s discussed anywhere near as much as it should be. If you drive while stressed, you have a huge distraction going on in your head. You might be thinking about something in your mind, losing all concentration whatsoever. Before you know it, you’ve driven into the back of someone at the traffic lights.
When you have a lot on your mind, it’s best to avoid driving. Especially if you’re stressed due to a recent event. For example, let’s say you just lost your job. It’s probably not wise to get in your car and drive when you’re in a stressed emotional state after that!
Always keep an eye on these signs as they indicate that you shouldn’t drive. If you do drive while these signs are present, there’s a high chance you’ll end up in an accident. It’s better to be safe than sorry – organize another form of transport and get to your location without putting people at risk.
Photo Credit: Volkswagen
