New Year’s Resolutions Part 1: Commit to Safe Driving

As this year is winding down and New Year’s is just around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to recommit to safe, responsible driving. This will help extend the life of your vehicle, avoid costly tickets (or arrests), and ensure the safety of everyone riding with you.

Properly Maintain Your Vehicle

For safety, dependability, and peace of mind, few things are as important as keeping your car in good working condition. This means having recommended preventative maintenance and service checkups performed as scheduled for your vehicle.

Oil Changes

Your car’s oil is its lifeblood; it’s the lubricant that keeps the moving parts of your engine working correctly and efficiently. For the new year, commit to getting your vehicle’s regular-scheduled oil changes to keep your engine healthy and free from damage.

Integrity offers oil changes for just $14.99.

Vehicle Inspection

You should have your vehicle inspected at least twice a year to ensure that all essential components are in good working order and to identify any issues before they become huge problems.

Never Drink and Drive

Never, ever drink and drive. This goes for driving drowsy or otherwise impaired, as well. It can be costly and it is extremely dangerous. About one-third of traffic deaths in the United States involve a drunk driver. Make the pledge now to never drive while impaired.

Make sure to also be on the lookout for other drivers who are drunk or otherwise impaired, especially on nights like New Year’s Eve.

Avoid Distractions

This is a big one – stay off your cell phone while driving! If you must take or make a call while driving, make sure that you’re equipped with a hands-free setup. Texting while driving has shown to be as dangerous as driving drunk.

Be Prepared for the Weather

Oklahoma winters can be brutal with our inevitable “winter mix” road conditions. Make sure that your car is ready for winter conditions and be prepared for the more extreme temperatures. This is equally important in the warmer months – make sure that your coolant is topped off and your AC is working properly.

Follow the Rules of the Road

This is an easy one to overlook, but it’s also one of the simplest “resolutions” to follow. Drive the speed limit, stop on red (and properly react to yellow lights), use your blinker when changing lanes – all the “Driving 101” stuff. These are not only best practices, but they’re the law. Failing to abide by these can be costly and dangerous for you and other drivers.

Keep Your Family Safe

Make sure that everyone in your car should wears their seatbelts 100% of the time. Doing otherwise is a careless, unnecessary risk to everyone in the vehicle. All children should always be in the proper car seat for their age, height and weight – no exceptions. Keeping yourself and your passengers safe and prepared should always your top priority.

As one year closes and the next begins, take this opportunity to recommit being a responsible, safe driver. Your family, passengers, and everyone else on the road will thank you for it.