WHAT BETTER NEW YEAR RESOLUTION could there be than to commit to playing your part in reducing death and injury on the roads? And the best way to do that is to put road safety at the top of your agenda.
Last year, an average of three people died every day on Australian roads, and thousands more suffered serious, life-changing injury.
Thinking about road safety makes particularly good sense in January. After all, there is the end of the holidays, more road travel now that Covid restrictions are lifting, the new school term, and heavier traffic. Any or all of these can pose a risk to safety.
If we all commit to a few minor changes in our behaviour and the way we use our roads, the benefits to everyone will be significant.
It could be as simple as leaving five minutes early to keep stress levels down on journeys, refreshing your knowledge of the road rules or making a commitment to banish distractions on journeys.
These can all be achieved with little effort, but the effect they can have on a safer road environment is massive.
Here are five simple, straightforward tips to help drivers make worthwhile New Year’s resolutions:
Before a journey
Take a few minutes to plan and check your route before you set out. This will help ensure you don’t get lost, and by leaving five minutes early you won’t end up rushing and making risky decisions.
Pay attention
Give the road your full attention. Don’t be distracted by passengers, mobile phones or private thoughts.
Hold back
Make a pledge that you won’t react to the actions of other drivers. Nobody’s perfect, so don’t waste time and increase risk by trying to rebuke another road user. Focus on holding back and staying safe.
Choose your speeds wisely
The speeds you use are entirely your own choice, so ensure you make wise decisions to keep your speed both legal and appropriate for the conditions. Time and space are two commodities you can never have enough of when driving.
Be alert
Don’t drive tired. Around 25 percent of all fatal or serious injury crashes are sleep related, so if you feel exhausted, or become tired on a long drive, then stop and rest.