With the start of a New Year drawing closer, many of us will have already drawn up our resolutions for the year ahead - mapping out all that we want to achieve this year. But while drawing up our resolutions this year, how many of us thought to include the following resolution - "this year I pledge to be a better road user - not only to protect myself but the lives of other road users on our roads?"

Road safety professionals are appealing for people to make new year resolutions to give up one more thing - bad driving.

Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer Mayo County Council said: "People tend to give up those bad habits that they enjoy, like eating too much chocolate or crisps, or maybe drinking too many cups of coffee before getting into work."

The Road Safety Working Together Group in Co. Mayo is asking people to think about the way they drive and use the new year as a reason to kick their bad habits off the road. 
We want all road users to change their behaviours' this new year and make these changes part of their lives in the future, which will save lives and reduce serious injuries on our roads," Gibbons said.

Some bad habits you should give up are:

* Speeding. It is estimated that one in three crashes is speed-related. Make sure you are always aware of speed limits and keep to them, being especially cautious on unfamiliar roads.

* Phoning while driving. It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, even while stopped at traffic lights and the consequences of doing so can be fatal. So always turn it off before you set off and it's not ok to check your social media or messages at the traffic lights.

* Never drink and drive - plan to get a safe way home

* Driving tired. If you do, you are putting yourself and everyone else on the road at risk. Stop for a 15-minute break every two hours. Try to avoid long trips between midnight and 6am when your natural reactions are likely to be slower.

* Tailgating. You should always leave at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front

* Jumping traffic lights. People have been killed and seriously injured when drivers have been too impatient to wait for a traffic light to change from red. Always obey the signals for your own and others safety.

* Driving without your seatbelt. It is illegal not to wear a seatbelt while travelling in a car. Seat belt wearing saves lives every year.

* Road rage. Why not think of others for a change, be patient and calm down. Would letting someone pull out in front of you, or saying thank you cause you any extra hassle?

* Share the road with cyclists and pedesterians.

Traffic Fatalities up to 9am on the 23rd December 2016

Pedestrians 35

Drivers 80

Passengers 38

Motorcyclists 20

Pedal Cyclists 10

Pillion Passengers /Other 1

Total Year To Date 184

2015 - Comparison: 154 (+30)
2016 - December fatalities to date: 14