Staying Safe on the Highways for Parents

Safe driving is important in a world of traffic jams, work commutes and other drivers who do not respect the rules of the road. When we become parents, safe driving takes on added importance. Child deaths due to car accidents have been dropping, and much of it is due to parents following the right safety tips for their children.

Driver Safety Tips for Parents

Keep your loved ones safe when you are out on the road by making the right decisions.

• Wear a seat belt. What is true for you is also true for your little one. Few things could do more to keep your child safe than to keep them secure with a safety belt. Each child should have their own seat belt, and you should be sure to use both lap and shoulder belts.
• Children in the back seat. Automakers design airbags for adult size bodies. Children 12 and under should always ride in the back to avoid this hazard.
• Settle down. Children can get rambunctious on car rides, especially on long rides. Distracted drivers are more likely to get into accidents, so be sure to tell your kids to keep it calm and quiet in the back seat.

Safety Tips for Younger Children

Younger children require even more individual attention to protect them in case of an accident.

• Face backward. If your child is under two, their seat needs to face backward, no exceptions.
• The right seat. Booster seats are not for babies and very young toddlers. Buy the car seat based on your child’s height, weight and age.
• Follow instructions. Your seat will come with instructions on how to install it, when it can face forward and how the harness works. Follow these simple steps to secure your child.

Rules for Winter

Winter driving is especially dangerous. Apart from the necessary maintenance checks on your car, you need to take some extra steps if you are driving with children.

• Food. Take along some snacks. If you get caught in a snow bank and help does not come right away, your children are not going to be able to trek over snow drifts and they might get hungry.
• Winter clothing. Extra mittens and hats are always a good idea, and so is a warm blanket. If your car won’t start, you’ll be glad your children have something to snuggle under until help arrives.

Follow these rules and keep your family safe when you have to travel. If you are injured in an automobile accident caused by someone else, call Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation today.