Living together in communities, building shelter, using fire, all of those things we do as par for the course to feel safer. However, along with our desire for safety, human beings have also become lovers and early adopters of technology.

And with that comes inherently increased amounts of risk. There is one thing that humans in modern society do every day, something that has become so normal that most people don't even bat an eyelid at it, but is the riskiest thing we do - drive a car. Tasmania's road crash statistics, released on Wednesday, showed 32 people died on the state's roads in 2019. This was one less death compared to 2018 and three below the 10-year average of 35.

There were 252 serious injuries as a result of crashes in 2019 which again was below the 281 serious injuries recorded in 2018.

The 10-year average for serious injuries is 271.3. Despite the myriad of road safety awareness campaigns or advances in safety technology, driving down the road toll is one of the hardest jobs of governments at all levels. Managing human error can be almost impossible and often the human error is a driving force behind the deaths and serious injuries (although not a contributing factor in all of them, it has to be said).

As the new year has already ticked over, though is likely to have been given to those pesky New Years' resolutions - promises made to one's self or to loved ones on how to live your best life. While often broken, resolutions pave the way for individuals to strive to be a better person, or family group, but if there is one resolution you are looking to make this year let it be this one: don't take risks while driving a car. It might sound contrived but people take risks behind the wheels of cars all the time - it might be taking that one extra drink, or by speeding, even if it's not by much, or even by not putting on a seat-belt.

Those minor checks: seatbelts, mirrors, speed, fuel (all those small things you might take for granted) all help to keep you and your loved ones safe while driving.

If we all make a concerted effort, then we as a collective and as individuals can help to reduce the road toll and be safe.