Resolve not to become accident statistic

As we motor toward 2009, it’s time to resolve to do things that will make us healthier, wiser or less frantic. Here are some of my 2009 resolutions for safe driving.

Slow down: Speeding-related accidents kill approximately 13,500 Americans each year, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, and many of these accidents involve pedestrians. I resolve to leave for wherever I am going five minutes early instead of five minutes late so I won’t have to drive beyond the speed limit, tailgate or weave across lanes to pass other vehicles en route. If I am walking, those few extra minutes will let me avoid the life-threatening hazards of jaywalking across a busy city street or suburban shopping mall parking lot.

Be well-rested: A whopping 90 percent of accidents are because of driver error, including errors caused by drowsiness, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. At least 1,500 drivers, passengers and pedestrians are killed and 70,000 more injured each year. I resolve not to drive when I am tired. If I am tired, I will pull over, get out and stretch - especially legs, shoulders and neck - and find a caffeinated beverage and something to eat to refuel my energy level. That woman doing jumping jacks in the parking lot of an interstate highway rest stop is me - taking a break from a long drive, so be sure to wave - or join me. I also resolve to wait at least 15 minutes before getting back behind the wheel because it takes that long for the caffeine fix to kick in.

Stay focused: I will watch the car ahead of the car ahead of me. This gives me a few more milliseconds to react to a brake light or a swerve indicating some obstacle or other danger ahead. I will use my directional signals every time I intend to change lanes and will check the rearview mirror, as well as both sideview mirrors, before I pull out. I resolve to beware of drivers who seem to be driving erratically or aggressively by tailgating, wobbling within a lane or drifting into another or swooshing across lanes to pass those who are doing the speed limit. I will get out of their way without judging whether bad driving is caused by sheer stupidity like texting or dialing.

Hang up: A study by the Insurance Information Institute indicates motorists using a hand-held phone to dial or text are four times as likely to get into an accident. Four times! Maybe that’s why a growing number of states are legislating against cell-phone use.

Stay sober: Of course, I resolve not to drink and drive or be a passenger in a vehicle whose driver is under the influence because even a single drink can impair actions and reactions. That’s why DUI is a crime or offense in every U.S. state - and in most countries of the world.

Check tires: I resolve to keep my tires properly inflated, rotated and balanced. Higher pressure may improve steering and fuel economy, but hitting a pothole in pumped-up tires is more likely to cause a blowout. Underinflation also can cause a vehicle to fishtail out of control. I will use the penlike gadget I keep in the glove box to check tire pressure, and only when tires are cold, because driving even a few miles to the gas station changes the reading.

Mind conditions: I resolve to slow down when roads are wet or icy even though my vehicle is equipped with front-wheel, all-wheel or four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes, traction control, frontal and side-impact air bags and whiplash-resistant seats. And, I will remember that while technology can add a margin of safety, it cannot change the laws of physics. So I will keep extra distance from large vehicles because their extra weight and size require more distance to stop than a smaller, lighter vehicle, and those drivers don’t always understand that.

Be prepared: Additionally, I resolve to keep an emergency kit containing flares, flashlight and such in the trunk; stay aware of manufacturer recalls and repairs; and take my vehicle for regular checkups and maintenance, as I do for myself with the dentist and doctor. Oh, yes, finally - I resolve to be sure to have the keys in my hand before I close the car door behind me.