Keeping Your Kids Safe While in the Car

There’s always a risk when you drive, but we start to notice it a lot more when our kids are in the car. Keeping our kids safe while we drive is our highest priority, and as a result we can get some anxiety about everything going on around us on the road. To help remove some of this stress, here are some things you can do to keep your kids safe while you drive. 

Know the Seatbelt Laws for Your Area

First, it’s important to know the proper way to buckle your kids in, depending on where you live. Each state has their own legal standard, and you’ll want to follow this to not only keep your kids safe, but to avoid any troubles with the law. How you’re supposed to buckle your kid in, and in what kind of seat, will largely depend on their age and weight. To learn more about the properly seating your child in the car, here are the different regulations for each state. 

Remove Distractions

One of the leading causes of car accidents is a distracted driver. And while you can’t control what other drivers are doing on the road, you can at least control your own actions. While driving, do everything you can to limit the amount of distractions you have. This means no texting on the phone, no eating, no feeding your dog, no playing with the kids, etc. 

We know it’s sometimes hard not to multitask, especially as a parent. You only have so much time in the day, and sometimes you need to eat your lunch while you drive around. But do your best to limit how much is going on while you drive. And, if you do need to do something else, like hand your child a water bottle, do it at a stop sign or red light, or even just pull over to the side of the road. You may be a minute late to your destination, but it’s better than getting into an accident. 

Follow the Rules of the Road

Finally, it’s extra important that you obey the traffic laws in your area when you have kids in the car. This means no going well above the speed limit, no gliding through stop signs, remembering to turn on your blinker, and much more. These rules are put into place for a reason – to keep your car and the other cars on the road safe. Again, you can’t control what anyone else is doing, but you can at least remind yourself to obey the rules. At the very least, you’ll be setting a good example for your kids. 

What to do After an Accident

If you do find yourself in an accident, it’s important that you know what to do. The most important thing is making sure your child is alright. They may be a little shaken up, but focus on their physical health. Make sure there are no cuts, and that they didn’t hit their head at all. If you suspect even a tiny problem, take them to a doctor as soon as possible, just to be on the safe side. 

Once you know your kids are okay, proceed with the normal car accident steps. This means swapping information with any other drivers involved, taking some pictures of the accident scene, notifying the police, and even getting a tow truck if need be. If you can, call a nearby friend or family member and ask them to come help with your kids. Car accidents are stressful, so if you can have someone else watching after your kids for a bit, you’ll be in a better frame of mind to deal with it all. 

Lastly, in some cases you’ll need to a hire a lawyer. According to The Barnes Firm, a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, “there are certain types of accidents that almost always require the help of a law firm that will ensure all losses are covered”. This typically happens in larger accidents, when one party doesn’t have insurance or you’re having a lawsuit filed against you. If you need some help, find a local attorney in your area who specializes in car accidents.

Keeping Your Kids Safe

Taking a few small precautions, like removing distractions and slowing down when you drive, can make a big difference when it comes to protecting your kids. We know how important this is to you, so hopefully this guide was able to give you some clear instruction on the best way to do this whenever you’re in the car.