Nothing is more precious to you than your children so it’s of crucial importance you know how to keep them safe when you drive around with them. As a first step you need to be sure your kids are properly secured in the car before you even start the engine. Next off be sure you have all your insurance properly set up and have copies of your plan in your glovebox in the case that an unexpected accident occurs. When it’s finally time to start your trip you should drive as cautiously as possible so you can prioritize your children’s safety. Finally, under no circumstances should you be distracted while driving with your children in the car. This article will go over four great tips on how to drive safely when traveling around with kids.
Be Properly Insured
One of the most important aspects of keeping your family safe while on the road is making sure your car and family are properly insured. In the case of an unexpected accident auto insurance can cover any damage caused to your vehicle and even medical fees if anyone gets harmed in the collision. Filing a claim in case of an accident can be a lot easier than you’d expect, especially if you live in the Massachusetts area since you can learn how to file in Boston thanks to the expert lawyers there. The first thing you need to remember is to take down the other driver’s information because you need it to file your insurance claim. Before you go on your trip be sure to check out your insurance plan to see what it covers and be sure to make any additions to your plan if you think you may be needing them while on your trip.
Make Sure Your Kids Are Secured
Before you even get into the car it’s extremely important that you properly secure your kids in the car so they can be safe while you drive. Make sure their seatbelts are properly secured and are tight enough to hold your kid in place in the case of an accident. If your child is too small for the actual seat belt be sure to purchase a child seat from a reputable supplier and make sure your child is properly secured in it. Furthermore, if you are traveling with your children you should never leave them alone in your car, in the summer temperatures in the car can get very hot and dehydrate your kids.
Drive Cautiously
When actually driving around with your kids it’s very important that you drive as cautiously as you can. You may be wanting to get to your destination as quickly as possible but avoid speeding at all costs and stay well within the local speed limits. If you see any aggressive or distracted drivers around you switch lanes if possible but if you can’t do this be sure to stay as far away from them as you can. If you’re driving in winter conditions be sure to install winter tires and much slower than average on highways to avoid black ice. This will better be able to stop under the low visibility conditions caused by snowstorms.
Avoid All Distractions
Distracted driving is something you should always avoid at all costs, especially when driving around your children. Absolutely refrain from texting while driving or using your cellphone for other purposes while behind the wheel. Can You Text and Drive, and Stay Alive? is a great “game” to put your skills to the test. Your children can also be sources of distractions that you’ll have to learn to deal with, for insurance if your kids want you to search the radio for better music be sure to do your search only when your car has come to a full stop. While on your road trip you’ll most likely be stopping for food at some point, if you end up doing this try to eat your meal wherever you bought it as eating while driving also counts as distracted driving!
It’s always very important to drive safely but this is even more of the case when driving around with your children. Before even getting behind the wheel of your car you’ll need to check to see if your kids are properly bucked up and if you have small children make sure you have a high-quality child seat for them. You’ll also need to review your auto insurance plan to be sure that you have the coverage you need, always have a copy of your plan in your glove box so you can be ready in the case of an accident.
When actually driving on the road do so very cautiously and avoid any aggressive drivers you may be sharing the road with. Finally, know what counts as distracted driving and avoid doing so at all costs to protect your family as best as you can. Road trips can be a blast but always keep your children’s safety at the back of your mind.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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