With a new year now underway, AAA of Michigan is challenging drivers to make some resolutions to help keep the roads safe.
AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland tells us preventable traffic crashes take lives every day, and what better way to start 2026 than be resolving to be part of the solution?
The first resolution: slow down.
“It’s important because sticking to the speed limit gives you crucial seconds to brake or swerve if needed and it also reduces wear and tear on your vehicle and can even improve your fuel economy,” Woodland said.
Woodland says speeding not only decreases reaction time but dramatically increases the severity of crashes. In 2023, speeding contributed to more than 11,000 crash fatalities on the road.
The second resolution: fully focus on driving.
“Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash by 23 times. When you’re fully attentive, you can better anticipate the actions of other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. You’ll notice changing traffic patterns and potential dangers before they become emergency.”
Woodland says the third resolution is to stay sober when behind the wheel.
“Impaired driving turns your vehicle into a weapon. The consequences are devastating and they ripple through families and communities for years.”
And that applies to all forms of impairment, not just alcohol. Woodland says marijuana, prescription medications, and other substances all contribute to the problem.
The fourth resolution is to buckle up, something that can save your life with only a few seconds of thought.
AAA notes that in 2024, more than 39,000 people were killed in U.S. traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
