Safe Driving Considerations for When You Have Kids in the Car – Guest Post

As parents, there is nothing more important in the world than your children, so it is only right that we should keep them safe while we drive with them in the car. If you don’t make your kids the priority while you are on the road, then you can not only endanger their lives, but you could also put your own right to own and operate a motor vehicle at risk. Safe Driving Considerations

Whether you are driving down the street to the grocery store or taking a long road trip, you can ensure the safety of your children with these safe driving considerations tips.

Their Safety Should Always Be the Priority

Although you are behind the wheel, when you have your kids in the car, your main job is to keep them safe. That means that you should drive like a pro and follow all of the rules of the road. Keep your hands at ten and two, constantly check your mirrors, and don’t make risky maneuvers that could put you or your family in danger.

Of all the safety considerations that you should make when your kids are in the car, the most important is to avoid distracted driving. Never drive while holding your phone, a beverage, or any unnecessary items in your hands. Definitely avoid texting and driving, as it only takes a second for you to look down and get into an accident. Use the radio and put on some music for the kids if necessary, but change the station when you are stopped at lights instead of when your vehicle is moving.

Anytime your child is around your vehicle, their safety is your responsibility. Never let your kids stand outside of the car while you are moving or parking, or they could get in your blind spot and an accident could occur. Most importantly, under no circumstance should you leave your children locked in the car when you are not in there with them. Every year, many children die of heatstroke inside cars while their parents run into the store. Don’t become a statistic. Keep your kids at your side at all times.

Ensure Your Vehicle Is in Good Working Order

If you want to keep your kids safe, then it is essential that you have your car maintained on a regular basis. Bring your car to a mechanic at least twice per year and have the brakes, fluids, and tires checked. The last thing that you want is to lose the ability to stop when you and your kids are in the car. Keeping the fluids at a proper level will also ensure that the car doesn’t overheat.

It is also a smart idea to have your oil changed and your tires checked and rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Failure to do so could lead to car troubles while you are going from place to place. If your car fails and you need to pull over to the side of the road, then there is the possibility that your vehicle could be struck by a passing vehicle. That is why maintenance is so important.

Everyone should have a mechanic that they trust to provide quality service at a fair price. You can find a good one by researching the mechanics in your area and then reading customer reviews so you can see how past clients view their services. Once you find a potential mechanic, bring in your vehicle for an inspection. A good mechanic will tell you what is wrong with your vehicle, why it is a problem, and how their repair will fix the problem. If you aren’t getting straight answers, then you may want to try someone else.

In addition to ensuring that your car works, you also need to verify that you are properly insured. Car insurance will give you confidence that you will be covered if you are in an accident. If you are pulled over without insurance, then you may lose your vehicle.

Keep Kids Quiet So You Can Drive Responsibly

Finally, when we talk about the dangers of distracted driving, it is not only about avoiding the use of devices on the road. You also need to ensure that you aren’t distracted by your children.

One way that your kids can cause an unsafe distraction is if they are moving around in the vehicle while you are moving. There should be limited distractions in this regard. Kids and parents should be wearing their seatbelts from the moment they get in the car, and they should stay in their seats. Children under 12 years of age must never ride in the front seat, and the youngest kids should be in car seats until they outgrow them, which is typically between 9 and 12 years of age.

Talking and arguing with your kids while you are on the road is dangerous as you need to keep your attention on the street in front of you. If necessary, keep your kids occupied with a healthy distraction like a book, tablet, or smartphone, so they are less likely to bother you as you drive. Just remember that it is also your responsibility to prevent your kids from viewing inappropriate content, so put on the proper parental locks on their devices and sign into their accounts on a regular basis to ensure that they are not looking at dangerous videos or websites.

In the end, it is essential that all parents drive responsibly when their kids are in the car. Consider the Safe Driving Considerations tips discussed here, and you can transport your family while ensuring their safety and security.