By Erin Thompson on December 11, 2020 in say's spotlight
Can we get an “Amen”? In case you forgot, 2020 is almost over! Cue the crowd yelling, “AMEN,” at full volume.
This year brought many unexpected ups and downs. Let’s start 2021 off on the best note possible with some all-star driving resolutions! Grab your current resolution list and jot these down.
For your vehicle:
1. Keep your car clean
While you’re likely to say, “next” when you see this one, take a minute to run out to your car. Could you fill a grocery bag with receipts, used coffee cups, and snack wrappers? If so, let’s make this year the one with the clean car.
Start off with a deep clean of your car’s interior; take a spin through a car wash or do-it-yourself at home! (Side note: We debunked the myth that washing your car too much causes rust, so don’t be afraid to increase the washes you give to your sweet ride.)
Next, add a couple of car organizers to your holiday wish list, so you can channel your inner Marie Kondo and only keep what “sparks joy” on the road.
Finally, grab a calendar and plan out regular at-home cleanings throughout the first few months of the year. Once you have a routine, it is much easier to maintain!
Clean car = happy driver!
2. Start some DIY car maintenance rituals
If you followed our New Year’s driving resolutions from last year, car maintenance is already on your list. However, next year (maybe even this year) can be the year of learning how to maintenance your vehicle at home!
COVID-19 caused many safety challenges and visiting repair shops or dealerships was no exception. If you haven’t driven much, you still need to maintain your vehicle. We have a how-to guide for changing oil, checking tire pressure, washing, and other maintenance tasks you can do at home!
Save money and become the car guru you’ve always wished to be. #Winning!
For your safety:
3. Follow speed limit
It’s easy to lose track of time and find yourself 5 mph over the speed limit. However, NHTSA warns us that, “For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities.” While you’re cruising around town or road-tripping cross-country, check your speedometer regularly to be sure you’re not accidentally slipping above the speed limit.
This resolution will keep both you and others on the road safer! Who wouldn’t want that?
4. Check the weather before leaving
While you can’t prevent unexpected weather, you can prepare before hitting the road. Find a weather app that suits your fancy. Tom’s Guide has some suggestions for both iOS and Android weather apps if you’re unsure of the options.
It’s helpful to check the weather before you leave for a couple of reasons:
- Plan your route to avoid rain, snow, ice, or sleet.
- Prepare supplies in case you are unable to avoid bad weather.
- Know when to schedule pit stops or pullover for the night.
Channel your inner weatherwoman or weatherman, and prepare for all scenarios before you travel!
5. Drive defensively
This phrase is thrown around a lot in driver’s education courses. According to the trusty Dictionary, defensive driving is, “the practice of using driving strategies that minimize risk and help avoid accidents, as by predicting hazards on the road.”
Lucky for us, WikiHow breaks down defensive driving into three main steps:
- Focus on driving by staying alert and looking ahead for other vehicles or obstructions on the road.
- Respond to other drivers by observing the rules of the road, keeping a safe following distance, trying your best to anticipate other drivers’ moves/reactions, and avoiding road rage.
- React to driving conditions by letting other vehicles know your next moves and reacting appropriately to the weather.
Keep these in mind on the road and you’ll be cruising safer, wherever you’re going!
For fun:
6. Add more road trips to your travel plans for 2021
We saved the most fun resolution for last!
2020 was the year of rescheduled or canceled trips, so let’s go ahead and start planning for 2021.
Have you always wanted to go on a national park adventure? Or plan a trip based on the regional cuisines you’re dying to try? Maybe even try your hand at glamping? We’ve spent the better part of this year daydreaming of vacations and exciting adventures, so check out our blog content and find some travel inspiration!
Don’t forget to share photos from your trips with us, we always love to see where you go!
Do you have more ideas for driving resolutions? Share them with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!