Too Drowsy to Drive? Here Are the Warning Signs

Getting behind the wheel when you’re tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk.  In fact, over 11% of all fatal car accidents happen as a result of sleepy motorists – so it’s important to pay attention to the red flags before you start your drive.  Here are the surefire signs you need to hand the keys to someone else:

-Yawning
-Hitting a rumble strip
-Not being able to recall the past couple of miles
-Blinking more than usual
-Trouble keeping eyes open or focusing them on the road in front of you

If you are displaying any one of these behaviors for a duration of time, especially if you are experiencing more than one at a time, you shouldn’t be driving.  Ask yourself if the trip is worth putting your life or the lives of others at risk.  And then hand the keys over.

5 Things You Need to Do Before Your Summer Road Trip

Road trip season is here again!  There’s no doubt about it: one of the best parts of summer is hitting the road on an adventure.  But before you start your car and set out for unfamiliar horizons, make sure you have these things checked off your to-do list.

1. Top off coolant.  Seems pretty obvious, but many forget this one!  Make sure you stay cool out on the road and remember to be proactive about air conditioning care to prevent future problems.

2. Refill windshield washer fluid.  You’re bound to gather a few hitchhikers like bugs and dust on your journey.  Make sure your windshield wiper fluid is topped off so you can deal with these obstructions on-the-go.

3. Inspect your belts. As your car ages, belts become dry and brittle. This is made worse by heat and the last thing you want is to deal with a broken belt in the middle of your trip.

4. Check your tires. This is a good idea to do regardless of season, definitely not just a summer must. The easiest at-home method for this is performing the penny test.

5. Get your brakes checked out. Bring your car into our service department and let us take one final look before you head out! Even though you hope this summer never stops, you want your car to, eventually.