Top 10 New Year's Driving Resolutions for 2017

The New Year is upon us, which means it's time for new resolutions. If you've already made yours, you might want to consider adding a few that involve staying behind the wheel. A change or two to your driving habits can make a world of difference to the safety of other people on the road, as well as your own. The folks here at Carmudi have started compiling our resolutions, and it's hard to stop at just one. So here are the 10 New Year's driving resolutions we've set for ourselves, and we hope that our fellow drivers will adopt.

10. We will focus more on driving and less on distractions

If we must use our mobile phones, we'll make sure to use the Bluetooth in our car, or alternatively, a hands-free headset. We will keep our hands on the wheel and our eyes on the road at all times. If we truly can't control the urge, we will use an app to block the phone from being used while driving.

9. We will buckle ourselves up and our children properly

By the World Health Organization's estimation, the Philippines experiences over 10,000 road fatalities every year. We realize that no single driving practice can prevent more accident injuries and deaths than wearing a seatbelt, especially for children. We want to become a good example to our little ones, that's why we'll make it a point to buckle up before we start the vehicle.

8. We will relax and avoid road rage

It can be so difficult to stay calm when you're faced with the recklessness and indifference of other drivers. We realize that we can be guilty of the same, that's why we promise not to return the aggressiveness of other drivers so we won't have to deal with the consequences. We will avoid profanities and dirty hand gestures at all costs.

7. We will drive within the speed limit

Overspeeding is the reason behind many fatal crashes. As they say, it's not the speed that kills, it's the sudden stop. With high speed crashes, airbags and seatbelts are often not enough to protect occupants because the forces are so severe. If there's a speed limit, we promise to stick to it.

6. We will always pass left and drive right

We will not hog the left lane when we're driving slower than most everybody else. We understand that left lanes are meant for passing, and we should keep it free at all times, especially if the lane or lanes to the right are empty. If we're not passing or not completing a pass immediately, we will move to the right so others can pass by.

5. We will yield to pedestrians and bicyclists

We promise to be courteous to pedestrians and bicyclists on the road, so we will keep it in mind to leave pedestrian lanes and intersections open. We understand that we need to be diligent around crosswalks, and we must remember to look both ways for pedestrians and bicyclists, even on one-way streets.

4. We will change lanes properly

If we miss our exit or need to make the next right turn, we will not cut off other drivers or try to move across different lanes of traffic to do so, as this puts our lives and the lives of our fellow drivers at risk. We will simply wait until the next opportunity to perform the maneuver we have to make to get to our destination.

3. We will give way to flashing lights

Whether it's an ambulance, fire truck, police car, school bus, or simply another driver flashing to pass, we will immediately pull over to the right side of the road. We wouldn't want other drivers to treat us differently if we were in their position.

2. We will keep our vehicle well-maintained

We know that a well-maintained car offers better safety on the road, and performing routine maintenance and regular tire checks is a way to ensure our vehicle stays in optimal running condition. Aside from better safety, these will aid in the vehicle's performance, tire wear, and fuel economy.

1. We will be prepared for anything

We believe that luck favors the prepared, so when it comes to dealing with emergencies, we will do our best to stay on top of them. This preparation can come in different ways, whether it's having a flat tire sealer and inflator on hand, keeping a car jumpstarter kit for when the battery suddenly dies, making sure we have a budget set aside for unexpected vehicle expenses, and more.

So there have it—10 resolutions we can hopefully all benefit from. Let us all strive to be better drivers this 2017, so we can get the most out of the year.