Have you made your New Year resolutions yet?

Happy New Year!

Most of us start off the new year by at least considering whether we are going to make any New Year’s resolutions.  Generally these have to do with a healthier lifestyle or financial issues (paying off credit, saving more, etc.) 

Have you considered making ‘driving resolutions’ this year? 

This could positively impact both the health and financial stability of your family.  Regardless of whether you previously made any resolutions or not, consider making the following in order to reduce the chances you or someone in your family will cause or be injured in an automobile accident. 

 

 

1) When I drive I will focus my full attention on driving.  This means no texting, no cell phones, no emotional tirades with passengers, no applying makeup, no eating meals or reading papers while driving.

   

2) I will be a courteous defensive driver.  This means I will try to anticipate ways I can help other drivers be safer by yielding when necessary, by not blocking someone from passing, and by not using my car to express my emotions.

 

3) I will drive only when I am alert.  This means I will not drive if I have been drinking, drugged, sick or excessively fatigued.

 

4) I will drive a safe speed, and I will reduce my speed accordingly for less than ideal conditions, such as heavy traffic, fog, rain, snow or ice.

 

5) I will maintain a safe distance between my car and the car in front of me regardless of how slow they go or how late I am.

 

6) I will always wear my seat belt and require that all my passengers buckle up.

 

7) I will keep my car in good mechanical condition so that I can avoid accidents caused by mechanical or tire failures.

 

I will do all of these things so that I can set a good example for my new teen driver.  I will also:

 

- Make sure my teen driver has at least 100 hours of structured driving practice with a qualified adult before driving alone.

 

- Have my teen read and agree to the Teenager-Parent Teen Driving Contract before he begins driving. 

 

Please be vigilant about your teen’s safety, as well as your own, and make 2010 your best driving year ever!

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