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Resolve to improve your driving habits this year

Are we prepared to be a little less "me" centric and a little more co-operative with everyone that we share the highway with?

One should look toward a new year with feelings of hope and anticipation, not the melancholy I feel grappling with a topic choice for this article. On average, 76,000 people are injured and 320 are killed each year as they use our highways. That is absolutely not something to look forward to in the coming year.

Can we as an individual road user make a difference? Perhaps we might ask another question, do we want to make a difference? Are we prepared to be a little less "me" centric and a little more co-operative with everyone that we share the highway with?

If you can't make the connection between your potential to be injured or killed, maybe you can make a connection with your wallet. Remember that about 80 per cent of what you pay ICBC for vehicle insurance each year is spent directly on claims. You might not hurt physically but you do pay a high price each year just to get your vehicle on the road.

You are the one in control: make a resolution to be a better driver this year. Focus a little more on the group needs and a little less on individual needs. Slow down, look twice, give the right of way, maintain a space cushion, don't drive impaired or distracted, yes, all of the things that we hear about regularly but don't always do. With resolve, you will make a difference!

For more information on this topic, visit www.drivesmartbc.ca. Questions or comments are welcome by e-mail to comments@drivesmartbc.ca. Tim Schewe is a retired RCMP constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. His column appears Friday.