If you’re struggling to think of a New Year’s resolution this year, why not consider making a commitment to safer driving? Here are three worthwhile tips to keep in mind as you make your journey into 2023.

Don’t drive distracted

Data from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents shows that, in 2020, ‘distraction in vehicle’ contributed to 2,034 accidents on UK roads. That’s certainly no small figure. Whether it’s screaming children or a vibrating mobile phone, being exposed to any slight distractions can hugely impact our ability to focus while driving.

We don’t think about it often but driving while distracted means that we’re much less observant of what’s going on around us. This can easily mean that poor decisions are made when it comes to controlling your car safely. Driving distracted means you’ll be less likely to anticipate hazards, which increases the chances of an accident. It’s worth taking the time to recognise what makes you distracted while thinking carefully about how you can maintain full concentration while driving.

Book in for an eye test

Getting your eyes tested is something that’s easy to put off. It’s recommended that you get your eyes tested every two years, but if there are any obvious problems with your eyesight, it’s a good call to book an appointment with your optician as soon as you can. It’s quite possible that you might need prescription glasses for when you drive.

With low winter sun and wet roads at this time of year, glare can also impact our vision while driving. It’s unpredictable and can completely block out your view beyond the windscreen. It’s definitely worth leaving a pair of sunglasses in close reach if you wear glasses while driving.

Inspect your vehicle regularly

Finally, always remember to make regular vehicle checks. Get into the habit of giving your car a quick inspection every couple of weeks to help lower the chances of a breakdown. Don’t forget to check the levels of oil and water and test your lights.

Checking the condition of your tyres is also a must. The legal limit for minimum tread depth on tyres is 1.6mm. And remember, driving a vehicle with excessively worn or damaged tyres is illegal, not to mention extremely dangerous. You don’t want to land yourself a fine of up to £2,500 – or three penalty points on your license for that matter!