Even for the best drivers in the world, there is one element that can cause their expertise and poise to quickly disappear: a car full of excitable children!
While it can be fun to reflect on, it’s the opposite when you’re on the road and trying to get to your destination as safely as possible. Kids can throw in a wide range of distractions, from demanding something to eat to trying to unlock their passenger door, and these can result in a loss of focus.
Thankfully, there are a number of tips you can implement to help with keeping your cool and avoiding any accidents. Here is a quick guide on driving safely with children in the car.
Play a game
If you can find a game that promotes quiet behavior and keeps children engaged, you have discovered a gold mine.
One option in that regard is to go with a classic game of ‘I Spy.’ It’s creative, fun, and children of all ages can get involved. Another option could be to introduce a drawing game, where the kids depict all the sights they see during the journey.
Keep them occupied
In this day and age, traditional games might struggle to keep their attention – particularly older children. This is where the likes of tablets and smartphones come in handy. With these portable devices, you can keep kids – both young and older – occupied for hours.
To maximize the effectiveness of tablets/smartphones, ensure they are loaded up with plenty of games to play, reading apps, and videos to watch. Also, remember to supply them with headphones, as the music and sounds from these devices can cause as much distraction as the kids themselves.
Stick to the rules of the road
Above all else, you have to maintain composure and stick with the rules of the road. It’s particularly important you don’t follow any cars too closely. It only takes a split second for you to lose focus and end up crashing into the vehicle in front.
On the other hand, you might be involved in an accident due to no fault of your own. As an example, someone could perform an improper lane change and end up hitting your car. In this case, it’s vital you have the right support. For instance, FLT Law is an expert personal injury practice that deals with improper lane change accident cases, along with many other vehicle-related incidents.
Getting the right representation could be the key to ensuring you’re not faced with any costly bills that impact the future of both you and your children.
Plan accordingly
If you’re going on a long trip, it’s essential you organize a strong plan for the journey. Along with the previous points, consider the following:
- Bring plenty of snacks and drinks. This will limit their insistence to stop at any restaurants and fast food joints you come across on the road
- Allow for extra stops, giving them a chance to blow off steam and enjoy a change of scenery
- If possible, have an extra adult in the car to keep them engaged
Additional resources:
-
Traveling with kids? It is prudent to know how to avoid accidents with larger vehicles
