New year’s resolutions tend to revolve around health, wealth, and love. People want to lose weight, quit smoking, get out of debt, and fall in love, but shouldn’t safe driving be just as big of a priority? Drivers should take this opportunity to turn over a new leaf and leave unsafe driving habits behind. You and your loved ones’ lives could change in a matter of seconds when a driver makes a mistake.
Unsafe driving habits that you can work to overcome in 2017 are:
Fatigued driving
Few things are more deadly than a driver nodding off at the wheel, especially on a busy road or highway. To make sure that they stay alert at all times, drivers need to be honest with themselves when it comes to assessing their focus and energy level on the road. At the first sign of fatigue, a smart driver will pull off at a truck stop to rest, or will refuel with a beverage or snack. Those concerned about tacking on a few extra minutes to their trip need to remember that safety takes priority.
Anger and stress-related driving
You mad? In-car anger takes on many forms – yelling, fist shaking, and other unmentionable actions – but it’s never appropriate, can cause distraction and sets a bad example for young passengers.
Highway serenity comes from knowing some things are beyond our control – other drivers behaving badly, construction in the city, commuter traffic jams – and learning to let go of any anger. Deep breathing techniques, playing a calming song, using the time for personal reflection or conversation with passengers are all useful tools.
Speeding and unsafe driving
While some safety tips might seem obvious to experienced motorists, it is always a good idea to return to the basics of driving. This means frequently looking at rear and side mirrors, keeping a safe following distance behind other vehicles, and always being mindful of the speedometer.
MADD Canada writes on impaired driving: “Road crashes continue to be leading cause of death among teenagers.
The statistics for motor vehicle crashes and impairment-related crashes among young drivers are alarming.
- Young people have the highest rates of traffic death and injury per capita among all age groups and the highest death rate per kilometer driven among all drivers under 75 years of age. More 19-year-olds die or are seriously injured than any other age group.
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 16 to 25 year olds, and alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in 55% of those crashes.
- 16-25 year olds constituted 13.6% of the population in 2010, but made up almost 33.4% of the impairment-related traffic deaths.”
Distracted driving
Adjusting your music, calling a customer or grabbing a quick bite are all actions that combined with driving can be potentially deadly. The days of fumbling around with CDs or AUX cords are finally at an end. With available SYNC 3, AppLink and SiriusXM satellite radio across a range of Ford vehicles, drivers can control audio with voice commands. No technology can keep drivers fed and mess-free, so here’s an old-fashioned remedy that will help safely maximize snack potential, regardless of what Ford vehicle you drive: Simply pull over, park, and give that snack full attention. Savour the flavour without putting people in danger.
A good New Year’s resolution for drivers would be to always keep two hands on the wheel and have a no-tolerance policy when it comes to using electronic devices behind the wheel.
Let’s all make 2017 a safe driving year. Happy New Year.