Most people love the New Year because it brings hope for new beginnings and fresh starts.

Through discipline, bad habits can be broken and better routines can be formed. From becoming more active, to traveling more, you can set resolutions for every aspect of your life. But if so, why aren’t road safety New Year resolutions a trend?

Safety on the highway should be a priority as much as finances and healthier lifestyle choices. After all, there are thousands of lives that depend on your decisions as a driver. Complete your 2017 goals by setting your own road safety New Year resolutions.

Start with these top four:

Road Safety New Year Resolutions #1: No To Mobile Phones

According to the Nation Safety Council (NSC), drivers who were talking on their phones while behind the wheel were 4x more likely to crash. Meanwhile, texting while driving increases that risk from 8 to 23 times. The issue on distracted driving has become a national pressing concern.

So this year, make it your goal to steer clear of the problem. Keep yourself – and your loved ones – safe on the highway by avoiding mobile phone use. Have calls directed to voice mail. Or why not let a passenger answer a call for you. If it’s urgent, pull over on the side of the road BEFORE taking a call or sending a reply.

Road Safety New Year Resolutions #2: Stay Away from Tailgating

About one-third of rear end collisions are a product of tailgating. This happens when you follow a vehicle too closely. This is dangerous for two main reasons: a) your proximity to the vehicle in front of you prevents you from seeing oncoming traffic and/or curvatures on the road and; b) you can’t guarantee that the driver of the other automobile can see you.

Those who typically tailgate are impatient drivers. They want to overtake the car or truck in front of them, so they tailgate until they see an opening. However, if the other driver suddenly stops or encounters an accident, the tailgater has little to no chance of reacting immediately. This could result in fatal injuries – or even death.

In 2017, resolve to be a more patient driver. Practice defensive driving and never assume that other people can quickly see you. If you happen to be following a big rig, keep in mind that it has plenty of blind spots. Keep away from them and maintain a distance of at least two cars apart.

Road Safety New Year Resolutions #3: Steer Clear of Speeding

In 2015, about 19,000 people were killed in road accidents. Several of the causes included speeding, distracted driving, and driving under influence. Speed is critical on the road: too slow and you irk fellow drivers, too fast and you endanger yourself as well as your passengers. The key then, is to stick to the speed limit and tread carefully during bad weather.

If you’re in the habit of speeding when no one is looking, break that habit in 2017. Keep cool and be confident in your abilities. In accordance with road safety New Year resolution #2, be patient. If know you’ll need extra time, leave earlier than usual. That way, you don’t need to speed your way to fatalities.

Road Safety New Year Resolutions #4: Errors in Erratic Driving

This usually happens when someone drives under the influence (either alcohol or substance abuse). However, impatient or irresponsible drivers could also exhibit signs of erratic driving. This is typically characterized by inability to maintain position in right lane, sudden braking, speeding, and errors in judgment.

For drivers prone to erratic driving, make a strong resolve to be more responsible this 2017. Think about how your actions affect fellow drivers and your passengers.

If you believe you need further help regarding injuries during a trucking accident involving alcohol and/or substance abuse, please seek expert legal assistance immediately. Try not to deal with it alone.

Conclusion

These road safety New Year resolutions are just the beginning. Your next concern is following through.

If you’ve developed bad driving habits over the years (e.g. speeding or not indicating), it’s never too late to change. Think of it as a way of protecting yourself and the people you care about. Consistency is key. Stay disciplined and you’ll eventually see the difference it makes on your fellow drivers – and in avoiding truck accidents.