Toyota of Clermont

Have you set your new year’s resolutions yet?

Now’s the time to clean up that diet, hit the

gym, and tighten up your budget. However, we

have one more suggestion to add to that list…

build safer driving habits.

When you employ safe driving habits, you’re

doing yourself, your passengers, and everyone

else out on the road a big favor. And it’s an

easy resolution to keep, so why not start now?

Toyota of Clermont is here with tips to help get

you rolling.

Defensive driving is your best friend when

you’re trying to build safer driving habits. It

basically means paying close attention to your

surroundings so you can act before an accident

occurs, rather than react while it’s happening.

Leave space in between you and other cars

Pay attention to the road around you

Use your turn signals

Have a way out if your immediate path gets

blocked

Avoid sharp braking and acceleration

Distracted driving is a leading cause of car

accidents & collisions.

Put your phone away and use Bluetooth to

make calls or have someone else text for you

Don’t eat, drink, or conduct personal

grooming in the driver’s seat

Stop fiddling with the radio and climate

controls while in motion

If something or someone needs immediate

attention, pull over and put the car in park

before attending

Following road rules is a large part of driving safety. Even if others don’t, you should:

Follow the speed limit

Come to complete stops at lights and stop signs

Merge smoothly on and off the highway

Change lanes with enough space to spare

Pay close attention to road signs

Only pass in acceptable lanes

Always give pedestrians the right of way

ALWAYS wear a seatbelt

Don’t give into road rage – it makes you drive erratically and aggressively.

Distract yourself with music or a book on tape

Leave extra time in your journey so delays don’t stress you out

If someone is tailgating you, get over

Don’t take other drivers’ bad behavior personally

Provide simple courtesies like letting people over – treat others how you want to be treated

Having a car that’s not well-maintained is a danger to everyone in it as well as everyone around it. Keep up on auto care like:

Tire rotations, inspections, and replacements

Oil changes

Wiper replacements

Headlight restoration

Brake service

Battery inspections and replacements

And any other service that affects the way your car performs when out on the road.

Have questions or want to schedule auto

service to get your car in great shape for a new

year? Call Toyota of Clermont at (352) 404-

7000 or swing by and see us at 16851 State

Road 50, just off the Florida Turnpike.