Photo by John Benitez
Originally Posted On: 5 Tips for Driving Safely With Kids – She Scribes
Traveling with your kids can be fun. However, it comes with the additional responsibility of ensuring that they are safe, which can be quite stressful since you don’t know what to expect. While you may not have control over the other motorists on the road, there are some safety measures that you can take to ensure that your children are protected inside the car. They include the following;
Use Car Seats
Although car seats aren’t an option when driving with children, it is essential to select the safest brands. Ensure that the seat also fits the measurements or age of your child. Every state or county has its own rules regarding the use of car seats, taking into account the child’s weight, height, and age. Ensure that you adhere to these rules.
Even if it is well secured with latches and ropes, a wrongly sized car seat can be fatal. Ensure that you also follow all the directions of usage as recommended by the company to the latter. Additionally, ensure to keep an eye on recalls, as they happen quite often. It is also essential to know when to shift your child from a car seat to a booster when the time is right.
Seat Your Children Right
Children under 12 or those whose height and weight are below the average of a 12-year-old should always ride in the rear seat. Ensure that they are well secured either with the vehicle’s seat belt or a child seat.
Secure Gear
Any loose ends in the car become hazardous projectiles in the event of a car accident or when you have to jam on the brakes. It is, therefore, essential to check that there isn’t any remotely heavy item on the package shelf behind the rear seats when you are traveling with your children.
Ensure that you secure any loose items in your trunk with cargo anchors and put any heavy items as far forward in the cargo area as possible or on the floor.
Insure Your Car
Whether you are traveling with your kids or not, having good car insurance is one of the greatest safety investments that you can make for your vehicle. With car insurance, you are likely to pay less money out of pocket for repair in the case of a minor or major accident.
Car insurance also helps to maintain the value of a car, and you are likely to fetch a good amount whenever you choose to upgrade your car or sell it. You do not have to break your bank for car insurance. There are numerous cheap auto insurance options that can fetch you many benefits.
Do Not Text and Drive
Mobile phones can be a big distraction when it comes to road safety, and you do not want to take such a risk, especially when driving with children. Although the buzzes and beeps of cell phone notifications are very alluring, discipline yourself not to check or respond to notifications until you park your car.
In addition to putting everyone in the car in danger, giving in to distractions while driving can teach your young ones bad driving habits, which they may pick up in the future.
Road safety is vital for children and adults alike. Apply the above safety tips before you get your little ones inside the car.