Health Tip: Stay Awake on the Road

(HealthDay News) -- Driving when you're tired raises your risk of getting into an accident. If you think you're too drowsy to continue driving, pull over and get some rest. But don't just stop on the side of the road. Get to the nearest hotel, or be sure to stop in a well-lit area, the U.S. National Safety Council advises.

The council offers these additional suggestions to avoid drowsy driving:

• Get plenty of sleep before your trip. Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
• Try not to drive between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Try to take long trips with someone else, and switch drivers regularly.
• Get on the road early in the day, and keep the car nice and cool to help you stay awake.
• Make frequent stops -- about every 100 miles or two hours. Walk around, get a little exercise or have a snack.
• Practice good driving posture -- head up, shoulders back and knees bent at about a 45-degree angle -- to help you stay awake.