Driving is getting more dangerous. According to the Florida DMV, our state has more than 16 million drivers, and there are more than 200,000 car accidents that occur in Florida each year, with nearly 3,000 highway crashes resulting in fatalities. These alarming statistics should make us all pause and ask how we can make our Florida roadways safer for everyone.
Here at Braman MINI, your preferred Miami car dealership, we want to encourage you to practice good driving habits in 2021 and beyond. So we put together a list of our top “Safe Driving Resolutions” to ring in the new year. We hope that you will take a moment to review these safe driving tips and put them into practice the next time you get behind the wheel.
1. Resolve To Drive More Slowly
We all see people zipping along the freeway or even surface streets, seemingly oblivious to posted speed limits. Ask yourself if the few minutes you save speeding to your destination is worth it. Studies show that you are 20% more likely to be involved in an accident by going between 5 and 10 mph over the speed limit. Slowing down gives you more time to react to changing road conditions. Sure, you may get some folks upset that you are driving responsibly, but that's their problem.
If you’ve got a lead foot and just can’t seem to lay off the pedal, you might do well with a MINI Clubman. It comes with available Adaptive Cruise Control, which does a lot of the thinking for you—simply set a driving speed and following distance, and ACC’s on-board camera and sensors will maintain that speed and distance between you and the vehicle ahead. It’s just one piece of active safety technology that MINI employs in its vehicles. Contact our MINI dealership in Miami to learn more.
2. Resolve Not To Drive Impaired Or Distracted
Even if you think you're okay to drive because you only have a little "buzz," the fact is that you may not even be aware that you are actually more impaired than you think. Drunk or impaired driving due to alcohol, "recreational" drugs, or even prescription medications is a serious offense. Using your cellphone while driving, or even looking down to change the radio station, can also lead to a serious accident. Play it smart. Don't drive drunk or distracted.
The new MINI vehicles for sale at Braman offer advanced features such as voice-activated phone capabilities that help keep you focused on driving. For example, with Apple CarPlay™, you can control and access Apple Music, maps, your address book, and messages with your voice through Siri.
3. Resolve Not To Drive Drowsy
In addition to driving impaired due to alcohol or other factors, drowsy driving is one of America's top highway killers. The National Sleep Foundation's DrowsyDriving.org reports that 60% of U.S. adult drivers say that they've driven while drowsy or sleepy. That translates to about 168 million people who admit to driving while they are tired or fatigued. There are more than 100,000 fatigue-related accidents each year, resulting in more than 1,500 deaths and $12.5 billion in financial costs. You can take steps to stay alert behind the wheel by paying attention to your needs--if your eyelids droop, your head starts nodding, your vision becomes blurry, or you yawn uncontrollably, then it's time to pull over and take a break. And if you’re veering in and out of your lane, that’s a clear indication that you need to catch up on some “Z”s.
4. Resolve To Drive Defensively
Let's be honest--there are a lot of jerks out there who can make your daily commute or trip across Miami Beach a stressful experience. We've all encountered someone who cuts us off, tailgates, weaves in and out of traffic, or drives aggressively. Sadly, incidents of road rage are on the rise. While it's easy to lose your temper, safe driving demands that you stay in control of your vehicle at all times. How can you drive defensively?
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Scan your peripherals, not just stare at what’s in front of you.
- Don't assume that someone's going to stop at a four-way intersection. Just because you have the right of way doesn’t mean you’re safe.
- Watch out for cars coming out of side streets, people who run yellow or red lights, and drivers who may come to an abrupt stop ahead of you.
- Always try to drive courteously.
- Most importantly, if an aggressive driver provokes a confrontation, remain calm and don't engage them or retaliate.
It helps to also have a car that keeps you protected, even when you’re not looking. With a MINI Hardtop, you get that layer of protection thanks to Active Driving Assistant, which includes Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking.
5. Resolve To Watch For Pedestrians
People are in a hurry. Lots of times, people take shortcuts, like jaywalking or running across a busy street. Teens and kids also have a tendency to take risks when crossing the road. Be extra vigilant and watch out for pedestrians who may unexpectedly dart out in traffic. Even if someone is legally walking in a marked crosswalk, make sure they have enough time to get to the other side of the street before proceeding.
6. Resolve To Know Your Limits
As we age, our reflexes, hearing, and sight aren't as sharp as they were when we were younger. Many older adults may not want to admit that they should make adjustments to their driving due to age. But sometimes, taking steps such as reducing or eliminating driving at night, not driving on the freeway, or only making short daytime trips become necessary. If you have an older adult in your household who you feel is starting to have difficulty driving, please talk to them about it. This may be a hard conversation to have, but you may be helping to save your loved one's life.
7. Resolve To Maintain Your Vehicle
Driving safely also means driving a car that's safe to be on the road. Performing routine maintenance, such as regular oil changes, tire rotations, and brake jobs are some of the keys to having a safe and properly working vehicle. Regularly check your tires to make sure that they are inflated properly and are not showing any signs of excess wear. If your brakes feel "mushy" or vibrate, take your car to a qualified mechanic, such as our trained service techs here at Braman MINI of Miami’s Service Department. We’ll inspect your vehicle, MINI or otherwise, and make sure everything’s in working order. If it’s not, we’ll give you a free quote on repairs.
8. Resolve To Buckle Up
Sadly, there are still many people who just don't want to be bothered with buckling up. One of the most basic and sensible things you can do to drive more safely in 2021 is to use your seatbelt. The same goes for making sure younger passengers, especially small children and infants, are secured properly in your vehicle.
Resolve To Save More At Braman MINI of Miami
If you are in the market for a new or used car in South Florida, we’ve got an excellent selection of MINI vehicles for sale. It’s a new year, which means that you’ve got new opportunities to save at our Miami dealership! Browse and take advantage of our current MINI lease deals in Miami and other used car specials while they last. Contact Braman MINI of Miami at 786-577-5129 to book a test drive appointment or speak with a member of our auto sales team!
