ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. -- A Maryland state trooper gave a highway safety briefing to service members gathered in the Andrews base theater Friday. 

Blending humor with facts and honesty, the trooper gave helpful tips that are useful for the 101 critical days of summer, as well as the rest of the year. 

The state trooper, Cpl. Anthony Washington, suggested getting at least eight hours of sleep before driving, taking a friend along to share driving duties, and leaving earlier for long distance trips. 

Corporal Washington also said if you are too tired to keep driving, you should not pull over on the side of the highway -- there's always a chance of someone crashing into your car on the side of the road. If you need to sleep, take the next exit and park in a hotel lot to get some sleep. Better yet, he said, rent a room in the hotel. 

Distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents and near-accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said Corporal Washington. 

Distracted driving includes driving while drowsy, talking on a cell phone, eating, applying make-up and basically anything else that takes your attention away from the road. 

"If you're going to drink alcohol," said Corporal Washington. "Think twice. Think three times before getting behind the wheel of a car. Because you aren't just putting your life at risk, but everyone you might encounter on the road as well." 

Be careful with fireworks, the state trooper said. Don't buy illegal fireworks. "If you want to see something spectacular, go watch a professional show." 

Overall, take your time, be cautious, take a friend and always tell someone where you are going. 

Col. Eric A. Snadecki, 316th Wing vice commander, made the closing remarks. 

"There's risk involved with anything fun," he said. "It's all of our jobs to minimize that risk."