Your family means more to you than anything which is why protecting them is something you do at all costs. When on the road, however, there are a number of risk factors that could put your family in harm’s way. From distracted drivers to bad weather, anything could cause an accident that leads to significant injuries and even fatalities. You may not be able to control everything that happens on the road, but you can do more to keep your family safe by following these important tips.
Keep Up With Maintenance and Repairs
It might be a bit of a chunk out of your budget if the car needs to be serviced but ignoring the problem puts you and your family at risk on the road. Mechanical failure can cause the car to stop functioning properly leaving you stranded on the side of the road – or worse. Keep up with your car’s maintenance schedule and hire a certified mechanic to keep up with major repairs.
Seatbelts and Car Seats
Should you be involved in an accident the number one line of defense are your family’s seatbelts and car seats. When they are properly strapped in, they are less inclined to become seriously injured from the impact of an accident. Make sure that everyone is buckled up before driving off and ensure that your children have the appropriate size car and booster seats at all times.
Pack Entertainment
Smaller children tend to have short attention spans and can quickly become a distraction while you’re driving. You can keep the noise down to a minimum in the back seat by making sure the kids always have something to keep them entertained. Whether you bring their tablet and let them watch movies, books, or paper and crayons for arts and crafts it helps to keep the peace. They have neat car organizers that you can attach to the back of your seat so the car stays neat.
Never Drive Under the Influence
There’s nothing wrong with having a few drinks, but it does impact your ability to drive efficiently. If you get caught behind the wheel driving under the influence, you could be required to have an interlock device installed, pay fines, and even lose your driving privileges. Not to mention, if you’re under the influence while you have family in the car you could all end up hurt – or worse. Therefore, you should never get behind the wheel of a car if you’ve been drinking more than you should.
Hands-Free Cell Phone Options
While it is best to avoid all cell phone usage while driving, there are instances in which you need to. In those cases, it is highly recommended that you invest in a cell phone holder and use features like voice dialing or voice to text so that you can keep your hands on the wheel.
Invest in Roadside Assistance
There is nothing worse than being stuck on the side of the road with your family and no idea of how you’re going to get home. Hitchhiking is a dangerous idea and sitting for hours on the road is also a bad choice. It is ideal to have roadside assistance as added protection. Should you get a flat tire, the engine stop working, or some other mechanical issue you can contact the service provider and have a tow truck dispatched to your exact location. The driver will then ensure that you and your family are transported somewhere safe.
Keep a Car Essentials Kit
You never know what could happen while you’re driving. That’s why it is important to be prepared. A car essentials kit can help you do just that. If you have things like a first kit, little snacks, a flashlight, car fluids, blankets, and rain gear you’re prepared for anything from boo-boos one of your kids got in the back seat to having to sit and wait for the tow truck driver on a cold day.
One can never be too precautious when it comes to keeping their family safe. This is especially true when you’re behind the wheel and there are so many different factors that could put you at risk. To reduce the likelihood of an accident or some other unforeseen incident on the road do your due diligence to get prepared.
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