Zigwheels PH's Top 7 New Year’s resolutions to become drivers

It is the new year, and when 2024 becomes 2025, it likewise means a bunch of folks are now preparing their lists of New Year’s resolutions. 

For many people, the aforementioned could mean being more fit, being more frugal, or starting a journey to learn a new skill as another fresh set of 12 months kicks off. For Zigwheels Philippines, however, we have come up with a list of seven resolutions our readers could follow to become better drivers. 

So, without further ado, here is a list of good driving practices one could learn or pick up as the new year starts. 

Using turn signal lamps more consistently

Using the turn signal indicators while driving in the Philippines is one way to stave away the chaos somewhat. Most folks behind the wheel know when and how to indicate, but we must admit that sometimes we make lapses. 

Some folks think it might be okay to not use the turn signal lights when there’s barely any traffic on the road or when going with the flow of traffic while on the proper lane when making a turn. 

On the contrary, drivers should use a car’s turn signal lamps consistently. It is, after all, a habit-forming practice that should be done even when there are no pedestrians or other vehicles on a stretch of road. 

We could even argue that turn signals are more crucial when there are “no other cars around” because we could never be too sure. Plus, there’s a saying that “complacency kills,” so for the new year, a good resolution is to become more consistent in using one’s turn signal lamps. 

Remind passengers to buckle up

By now, most drivers in the Philippine setting will hopefully know to buckle up every time they hit the road. The aforementioned, of course, is somewhat reinforced by newer car models, which practically scream at you if you forget to buckle up. 

Not all cars, however, can provide warnings for second or third-row occupants. As such, it would be a good New Year’s resolution to pick up the habit of reminding passengers to buckle up. 

Sure, folks occupying the front-most row will take the brunt of the force during an accident. In many cases, however, unbuckled rear passengers can turn into missiles, especially when the vehicle experiences a frontal crash. Per the US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a flying human coming from the rear seats may severely injure or even kill the ones sitting in the front. 

Car accidents always happen with no warning or any predictable patterns. So yes, reminding everyone in the car to use the seatbelts, regardless of what row they are sitting in, is a must. 

Your friends or family might call you a worrywart for it, but reminding them to wear seatbelts even for short trips is a must. 

More attentive to speed limits

Another good driving habit to start off 2025 is to pay closer attention to speed limits and how fast you’re driving. Yes, the aforementioned applies even to roads that seldom see speed limit enforcement. 

Keeping within the speed limit is especially crucial when traveling on relatively quick highways. After all, traveling and driving at expressway speeds, which are usually limited to 100 kilometers per hour on most Philippine expressways, drastically shortens a car’s braking distance. Going beyond the prescribed speed limit will often go beyond the scope of a given road’s design and, thus, will likewise increase the chance of accidents. 

On another note, keeping within the speed limit while traveling in in-city or urban settings is also a must. Often, thoroughfares within city limits are smaller and more populated not just by other cars but also by more vulnerable road users. 

Out of the driving New Year’s resolutions listed here, keeping the speed limit might be the easiest thing to do. It is all about self-control, plus there are now multiple ways to know the limit of the current road one is driving on. Examples of the aforementioned include smartphone apps such as Waze and Google Maps. 

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we are likewise reminding car enthusiasts and vehicle owners that racing on public roads is downright irresponsible and unacceptable behavior. The said reminder, of course, has been shared countless times already by other publications and car/motorcycle YouTube channels, among others. However, the said issue is still prevalent in the Philippine setting even as we enter 2025. 

Become more patient on the road

In the coming months, another thing drivers of all levels of expertise could practice is extra patience. Specifically, we’re talking about patience for other drivers because, let’s face it, not everyone behind the wheel is an expert.

Sometimes, it would be good not to blare your car horn at the car in front of you when the light turns green. Maybe we could also take a breather and chill out while waiting for a newbie driver back into a slot, which is common in tight mall parking areas. Not all drivers are attentive, sure, but a gentle beep instead of a long-winded press on the car horn would suffice. 

Additionally, we could also practice self-control when being cut off by other cars on the highway. Some drivers may take offense to the latter, but getting angry over other’s bad driving will just ruin your day. 

Being patient or having an extra deal of tolerance for slower vehicles will also help you deal with the stress associated with the gnarly traffic in places like Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Baguio City. It is always ideal to leave the house as early as possible when your time is constrained. But in some instances when the traffic is really bad due to unforeseen circumstances, there’s nothing we can do but keep calm and find a better route to follow. 

Eliminate driving distractions

Getting distracted while driving is a common cause of accidents on the road. As such, we should enter the new year with a concerted effort to eliminate driving distractions. 

Granted, we depend on Waze and other smartphone apps to navigate, but let us avoid answering text-based messages while behind the wheel. Other activities that could drive one’s eyes away from the road and one’s hands away from the steering wheel include applying makeup, eating, and watching videos, among others. 

Not hogging the passing lane

Passing lanes on highways exist for a reason. According to the North Luzon Expressway Corporation, the aforementioned are there to ensure the “safety and quality” of the highway. Ideally, it likewise provides a space for faster vehicles to overtake slower ones predictably.

Most who have been driving for a while know about the passing lane on many of our local tollways. Some, however, would rather use it as a “fast lane” and hog it all the way. 

So, with 2025 coming up, a good change to one’s driving behavior is to be more conscious about one’s use of highway passing lanes. After making a successful overtake, one should go back in a controlled and gentle manner to the adjacent lane to the right. 

As pointed out by many driving experts before, hogging the left lane can only make the entire highway go slower, and it could also prevent other motorists from performing overtakes. 

Get your eyes checked

It may not apply to everyone, but if you’re one of the many whose livelihoods depend on driving, you should make it a point to have your eyes checked as 2025 comes in. A simple eye exam will do, as it could reveal some issues with your eyesight that you were not previously aware of. 

Driving, after all, requires your eyes to be in tip-top shape. And yes, the aforementioned likewise applies to many other facets of one’s health. Well, sure, driving modern cars has become easier thanks to advanced driver-assist systems. However, for the most part, it is still performed primarily by a living, breathing (ideally healthy) human behind the wheel.

Final thoughts

There you have it folks, our list of the top seven New Year’s resolutions to help you become a better driver. While it’s not comprehensive, it’s a great starting point for enjoying a safer and more rewarding driving experience in 2025.

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