Make 2017 The Year of Car Safety

Jan 5, 2017

Tired of the same old New Year’s Resolution? Try something new this year by promising to be a safer driver for you and your family. We have seven tips on how to make this year a car-safe 2017.

Be Prepared: While we hope this year leaves you accident free, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the worst. If your car is submerged in water, rolled over, or if the electrical system fails, you may not be able to exit your vehicle. Make 2017 the year you invest in auto escape tools like a glass-shattering hammer or seatbelt cutter, in case you ever need one. And we hope you don’t!

Fill Up Your Tank: Driving with minimal gas is nerve racking, plus it’s not good for your engine! Watch your gauge more closely this year to eliminate any situation where you might run out of gas.

Change a Tire: Nobody likes a flat tire, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could change it yourself? Learn this life skill this year so a flat tire doesn’t have to mean the end of the world.

No More Distracted Driving: Getting distracted while driving is easy to do. With nearly 431,000 injuries and 3,179 fatalities in 2014 alone (U.S. Department of Transportation), it’s more important than ever to keep our eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. This year, vow to make little changes like not checking your cellphone behind the wheel. It could save a life!

End Drinking and Driving: Impaired driving is responsible for 36 deaths and 700 injuries every single day. It’s not enough to just promise you won’t drink and drive. At social events, make sure that everyone has a safe ride home, and if you aren’t drinking, offer to drive others. If you see someone you feel is at risk, don’t hesitate to say something. They will thank you in the morning.

Buckle Up: If there’s one thing you do this year, make 2017 the year of the seatbelt! Enforce a strict seatbelt policy in your vehicle. It can diminish death or injury in car accidents by over 50 percent!

Consider Safety Rating: If you are looking to purchase a New Kia Vehicle this year, make sure you are factoring in safety features and ratings. Luckily for you, the vehicles at Destination Kia are just as safe as they are stylish and advanced!

“7 Resolutions for a Car-Safe New Year on Edmunds.com.” Edmunds. N.p., 06 Jan. 2015. Web. 05 Jan. 2017. <https://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/7-resolutions-for-a-car-safe-new-year.html>.