While many of us focus on ideas like getting fitter when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, the start of a new year can be a great time to make some changes to your driving to ensure a safe 2022 on the roads.
Here are some tips to drive safely and avoid any mishaps on the road:
Never Drink and Drive
While we have come a long way in terms of reducing instances of drink-driving on Irish roads, too many incidents are caused as a result of someone deciding to drive while over the limit. For most of us, this behaviour is something we would never dream of doing or tolerate from our friends or family, but as we start a new year it’s worth remembering how dangerous drink-driving is.
Make Vehicle Maintenance a Priority
Many of us are guilty of only thinking about car maintenance when something goes wrong, but it really should be a year-long priority. Though having a car insurance helps, regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines can greatly reduce your risk of a car breakdown.
Whether it’s checking the battery in the lead-up to winter or checking oil and coolant levels before setting out on a summer drive, keeping your car in good shape is important all year round.
Have you taken an AA Membership yet? If not, our 24/7 breakdown service cover makes sure you’re never left stranded anytime.
Put the Phone Away
In recent years smartphones have helped to make our lives easier in a number of ways. Unfortunately, as the technology improves, more people are falling into the trap of using a phone or hand-held device while driving. Whether you’re stuck at a red light or moving freely in traffic, there’s no place for using these devices while driving. Making the simple decision to put your phone down greatly improves your own safety and that of other motorists and vulnerable road users.
Shop Around When it Comes to Insurance
Whether you’re buying a new car this year or renewing your cover on your current car, many motorists fall into the trap of not shopping around when it comes to their insurance. Even if you’ve been with your existing provider for years, they may not be giving you the best deal. By shopping around you can ensure you get the best price for the cover you need.
Adapt Your Driving to Weather/Road Conditions
Fingers crossed we will avoid any major weather events in 2022, but even as conditions improve during the summer months it’s important to adapt your driving to the conditions that present themselves. Whether it’s heavy rain or sun glare, it’s important that you slow down where necessary to reduce your risk of being involved in an incident.
Stick to the Speed Limit
On the slow down theme, it remains highly important that motorists stick to the speed limit when driving. While the overwhelming majority do this, if you are speeding you’re more likely to be involved in an accident and the damage from any accident could be even greater as a result of your higher speed.
In line with our previous resolution it’s also important that you reduce your speed when conditions require that you do so. The speed limit for a road is not a target and, if conditions make driving at the recommended speed dangerous, it is possible to be prosecuted for speeding/dangerous driving while still obeying the limit.
Be on the Lookout for Vulnerable Road Users
Our last resolution, but nonetheless an important one, is to ensure that you give due diligence to vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. Avoid overtaking unless it is safe to do so and, if you are overtaking a cyclist or pedestrian, allow additional space where possible. We all have a responsibility to obey the rules, keep our roads safe and do what is required to minimise fatalities among road users.
Why not get an early start on our fourth resolution and get an AA Car Insurance Quote?
