With 2026 already gaining momentum, people everywhere are working on their new year’s resolutions to improve their health, financial stability, and personal growth. But for commercial drivers, it’s not too late to add resolutions for safer driving to the list.
Here are seven actionable resolutions for safer driving in 2026 and for many years to come:
Prioritize your health and well-being. Support alert, focused driving by eating nutritious meals, staying physically active, managing stress, and getting sufficient rest. Fatigue is a leading cause of crashes, so aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep before getting behind the wheel.
Make thorough trip planning a priority. Allow extra travel time when mapping out your route, and be mindful of weather conditions, restricted routes, and bridge clearances. Use navigation tools as a guide—not a substitute for good judgment—and put safety first.
Conduct comprehensive and attentive pre‑trip and post‑trip checks. Taking the time to ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition can prevent unnecessary downtime, costly breakdowns, lost revenue, and dangerous situations on the road.
Buckle up. Wearing your seatbelt is one of the simplest, yet most important, actions you can take to protect yourself and others while driving. In a crash, it keeps you in your seat and helps you maintain control of your vehicle.
Pay attention. Eliminate distractions by completing personal tasks (e.g., eating, grooming), securing loose items, and setting all vehicle controls before departing. Keep your focus on the road and make adjustments only when you are safely stopped.
Drive defensively. Look well ahead, use your mirrors regularly, and scan side to side to get a complete picture of your surroundings and identify potential hazards early. Keep a safe following distance, watch your blind spots, and adjust your speed for weather, light, and roadway conditions.
Practice patience and professionalism. Set a positive example by obeying traffic laws signaling early and clearly, and sharing the road with courtesy. Watch for and yield to vulnerable road users—pedestrians, bicyclists, micromobility users, motorcyclists, emergency personnel—and maintain calm, safety-focused behavior—even when other drivers behave aggressively.
These resolutions for safer driving aren’t just goals—they’re a commitment to yourself and everyone sharing the road. By putting them into practice every day, you can turn these resolutions into habits that reduce risk and make 2026 your safest year yet.
