Spring has arrived! And with the warmer weather, family road trips are on the agenda. Consider the following tips and guidelines to drive safely with kids on board.
Drive Safely With Kids – Avoid Possible Distractions
1. Drive Safely During Night Time Travel
When planning a vacation with the whole family, the risk of being distracted rises. Consider scheduling your road trips at night as the kids are more likely to fall asleep during this time.
2. Drive Safely by Using Buckle Up Toys
If you give toys to your kids, make sure they are securely fastened to the car seat. They will be dropped, your kid will scream, and you will be forced to do pullover. Additionally, this prevents toys from becoming missiles if you have to slam the brakes. Newborns do best without toys; they will most likely sleep instead.
3. Avoid Using Your Cellphone
Remember to switch off your phone, put it on quiet mode, or store it in the cargo section of your vehicle to minimize distraction.
4. Always keep your eyes on the road
It’s all too easy to get distracted, but you’ll never know who’s driving beside you on the road!
5. Follow Rules and Regulations
Driving safely requires following to traffic laws, driving within posted speed limits, and maintaining a constant eye on the road.
Use the Right Car Seat
Depending on the age of your kids, it’s essential to choose the appropriate safe car seat for them – even if there are other passengers in the vehicle, it’s unsafe to hold a kid in your hands regardless of whether you’re wearing a seatbelt. If an unexpected accident occurs, the kid may slip from your grasp and get an injury, but if they are correctly positioned in a safety chair, they are less likely to experience injury or fall out of their seat.
- Children Until At Least the Age of 1 – Until at least the age of one, children should ride in a rear-facing car seat. It is legally mandatory in certain states until the kid reaches the age of two, and some experts encourages on keeping your child in a rear-facing seat even longer. This will protect your baby’s head and neck and may minimize mortality by up to 71%. Your child’s first car seat should be rear-facing exclusively and should have a carrier handle.
- Your car seat should comply with NHTSA safety regulations and be placed according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Check that the car seat is compatible with your vehicle; sometimes, they may not fit together. Of course, your infant should be adequately secured. When your newborn outgrows the infant car seat, upgrade to a convertible car seat, but maintain the infant rear-facing.
Feed and Change The Baby Beforehand
If your kids are toddlers or younger, it is recommended to feed and change them before leaving and begin your trip. If your child is in pain, sobbing, or in need of attention, it’s more likely that you’ll divert your focus away from the road to soothe the child. As you may understand, this can result in traffic difficulties and probable accidents that might have been avoided if you were paying attention. While it’s usually preferable to have someone else in the vehicle who can entertain the children, there are occasions when you just have to be the one in control. Therefore, don’t forget to completely prepare your infant for the travel, and maybe bring along a few toys to help the baby feel more secure and tranquil on the road!
Be a Defensive Driver
If you lack defensive driving abilities, now is the time to acquire them. Defensive driving is being prepared to respond to other drivers, expecting the unexpected, maintaining control of your pace, and being alert. A defensive driving course is an investment in saving lives and time that every driver should consider.
If you get into a car accident with kids on board, you should call a professional towing company for help as they are trained and skilled to handle difficult situations.
South Florida’s Professional Towing Company
Cape Coral Towing & Recovery Inc. performs reliable towing services when you require emergency roadside assistance that will enable you to successfully reach the other side of the road. We are the best to hire for a steadfast towing service that can respond to your call 24 hours.
Cape Coral Towing and Recovery is the towing expert in Southwest Florida! Being the most preferred company, we are just a phone call away to arrive and helping you whatever the extent of your concern. Why choose Cape Coral Towing and Recovery:
- Fast and Reliable Towing Services
- More than 25 years of experience
Emergency Towing Services
Family-owned and Operated Towing Company
Call Cape Coral Towing & Recovery at (239) 458-3333 or send us a service request online to request service
