Having a family changes everything, including how we need to drive. You must be extra sure your car is in pristine condition and that you know how to handle the road safely. If you’re a new parent, here are some things you can do to keep your little ones safe while driving.

Ditch the Phone

We all know that texting while driving is dangerous, but you’re almost 25 percent more likely to get into an accident while doing so — that’s a risk you cannot take when you have children in the car. Yet, even hands-free devices pose a threat when you’re behind the wheel. Many of these might be obvious, such as speakerphones or earpiece attachments, but they also include the radio and GPS devices. There is nothing important enough that it cannot wait until you pull over, especially when your little ones depend on you to keep them safe.

Get the Best Insurance

While having a baby won’t necessarily change your insurance rate, you may notice an increase — or decrease — if you purchase a new car. Now is the best time to review your policy and see if you have the coverage your family needs to stay protected. For instance, it’s important to know if your car insurance does or does not cover repairs, auto replacement, or any medical bills that could come with an accident. Most importantly, you must be aware of no-fault laws and whether your state has them. If you live somewhere with fault laws and are judged to be partly responsible, you could end up having to pay a percentage of your own medical bills. So, for instance, if someone else runs a red light and hits your car, you could end up paying thousands if you are found to be even 20 percent responsible.

Stay Focused

It can be difficult to stay focused when we drive, but it’s vital. While we may think that phones are a driver’s main distraction, it could be anything that pulls our eyes away from the road. That might be a billboard, an accident across the median, or any number of things that happen every single day. To stay safe and focused, take steps to limit distractions when driving, such as not eating, never checking maps, and having a passenger text or answer calls for you.

Schedule Maintenance

When your car is up-to-date on its maintenance, it’s safer to drive. Of course, general maintenance can’t account for everything, but a good policy to follow is the 30-60-90 rule. That means getting your mechanic to do a check every 30,000 miles to ensure all engine parts are working well and that your brakes and tires are in reasonable condition. Of course, you may still need to change components such as your windshield wipers, oil, and air filter more frequently, so stay on top of anything that might be overlooked.

Top Up

It’s easy to forget to check your car’s tire pressure, but this is something we must do weekly, if not daily. While you can usually see if your air levels need adjusting, you should use your pressure gauge to ensure your vehicle is at the correct level for the current weather. This is extra important to do during cold temperatures, as your tires will lose pressure and may be more susceptible to damage, increasing your likelihood of an accident. Lastly, don’t forget to regularly check your oil levels. You may not feel comfortable changing the oil yourself, but you can quickly confirm if you need an early change by examining the oil dipstick.

Keep yourself up-to-date on the best safety tips to ensure your family stays secure. Yes, driving is convenient, but it can be dangerous. However, with good insurance and by staying on top of maintenance, you can keep your little ones protected when on the road.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Of the 5,891,000 car crashes that happen each year, 1,235,000 of them are weather-related.

Whether you’re a veteran road warrior or new to the area and its unpredictable weather, it can’t hurt to recap best driving practices. Here are some tips to keep you safe on the roads this winter. 

Preparing Your Vehicle

Tire selection. Use a good winter tire that is properly inflated. A winter tire has a compound specifically designed to grip the road. They also have a narrower tread pattern, which leads to increased traction. 

Mind your gas tank. Keep your gas no lower than half full. This will help to avoid any potential gas line freeze-ups. Additionally, if you’re headed on a longer drive, make sure to leave with a full tank of gas in case you run into any unforeseen road delays.

Keep up on car maintenance. Properly maintaining your vehicle will reduce your risk of having a breakdown that could strand you in the cold.

Pack extra clothes and more. In the event of a roadside emergency, you’ll want to make sure you have an extra layer of protection. Consider purchasing a quality pair of long johns or other clothes made specifically for low temperature insulation. The National Safety Council also recommends carrying these items.

Driving Considerations

Take a winter driving course. If you’re new to the area or new to driving, consider a driving school that focuses on the nuances of winter road management.

Use your seatbelt. One of the easiest ways to avoid becoming a fatality statistic is by buckling up.

Cruise Control. Do not use cruise control on any slippery surface, this includes wet or icy pavement. 

Watch your speed. Always drive below the posted speed limit when driving on snow and ice.

Drive smoothly. Operate your acceleration and brake pedals as smoothly as possible. A sudden step on the gas or sudden braking can lead to loss of control.

Don’t drive impaired. Never get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Driving while impaired is a crime, and if you’re convicted you’ll be in for some major life changes, aside from the embarrassment.

• You could lose your job.
• A drunk driving conviction could prevent you from obtaining future employment.
• You’ll pay much higher insurance rates.
• You could face jail time.

Increase your following distance. The general rule for a safe driving distance is 3 to 5 seconds, meaning once a car passes an object in front of you, it should take about that time to reach the same object. When the weather is bad, increase your travel distance to a minimum of 6 seconds.

Recovering from a skid or slide. When you start to skid, follow these simple steps:

1. Let off the gas and coast. 
2. Do not slam on the brakes.
3. Start counter-steering. This means turning your wheel in the same direction the back end of your car is skidding toward. This should allow your vehicle to straighten back out.
4. Keep your eyes where you want to go, this will allow your hands to follow so you’re pointing in the right direction.

Road Conditions

Before traveling any major distance, always check current road conditions. 

The beauty of the snow comes with the reality of harsher road conditions. And whether you’re new to the area or an experienced road warrior, winter’s challenges can be difficult. By using these tips and committing your full attention to the road, you’ll be ensuring you arrive at your destination safely.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It’s one of the moments every parent hopes will never arrive – your teen getting their driver’s license.The first time a teenager gets behind the wheel is sure to make any parent nervous, especially now that phones are in the mix. Distracted driving causes many accidents, some fatal, so it’s your job to inform your child how to stay focused on the road. Here are a few tips to help ease your mind while helping them become safe drivers. 

Are they ready?

One of the most common questions parents of teens ask is, “Is my child ready to drive?” To be a safe driver, your teen will need important skills and abilities. They’ll need to pay attention to the surrounding environment at all times, scan their surroundings and predict changes in both traffic and the actions of other drivers, and use quick recall skills to make safe choices.

If you’re having trouble establishing whether your teen is ready for the responsibility of driving, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does my teen show good judgement in school and at home?
• Is my teen mature?
• Can my teen handle constructive criticism and instruction?
• Is my teen able to take responsibility for his safety as well as the safety of others?

If you are able to answer “yes,” then it’s time to switch over to practice mode.

Get it in writing

It’s never too early to start giving your teen a little extra responsibility, and it is a great way for them to learn to follow rules and requirements, proving that they are capable of taking on the large responsibility that driving entails. At around age 14, consider writing up a contract that outlines school and home responsibilities. The largest stipulation will be that your teen must meet the contract rules at 80 percent or better for a set number of months before they will be permitted to start driver training. Even if this delays getting their permit until they are 16 or 17, stick to the contract.

Once your teen has put wheels on the road, alter the contract to specify what your teen must do in order to be able to use the car. For example, conditions could be finishing homework in a timely manner and doing chores without being asked. The contract should also include rules such as how many passengers are allowed in the car, where they can drive, driving hours, and consequences for breaking the rules. Teens are often very easily distracted, so add a rule about no cell phone use while driving and keeping the radio volume at a reasonable level.

Over-practice

While you don’t want your teen to get burnt out on driving, they will need extra driving time to ensure they are completely prepared for solo driving. Driver education classes are a great start, but the amount of actual driving time is hardly enough for your teen to develop consistency in their skills and fully grasp all aspects of driving. The requirements in each state for documented driving hours range from 40 to 60, but the number is a minimum suggestion. Plan for your teen to log two to three times that amount. Try to practice with them as often as possible at a minimum of 20 minutes per outing. While it may be tempting to take the wheel on a quick trip to the grocery store to get in and out as fast as possible, let your teen take on the driver’s seat. It may be a little slower going, but any learning opportunity will be beneficial.

Work your way up to practicing driving in rain, snow, or other hazardous weather conditions your area faces. Discuss safety precautions for these conditions – slower speeds, gradual braking, use of headlights, etc – even before you get in the car. The pressure your teen feels while driving is already great, so it’s important to plan ahead for particularly stressful conditions like inclement weather.

You should also practice some basic car maintenance skills and procedures like checking the pressure of tires and filling them, jumping the battery, and changing a flat. Make sure your teen knows where the necessary tools are kept and how to contact roadside assistance. Don’t underestimate the importance of getting these kinds of procedures down pat. Everyone feels frazzled when their car battery won’t start and your teen will be no exception, but if they’ve practiced a jump start repeatedly, they’ll have a much easier time recalling and focusing on the steps.

As a parent, there will most likely never come a time where you are not worried about your child, especially when they are driving. However, taking the time to assess your teen’s readiness, setting expectations, and practicing early will help your child become a safe driver while giving you the opportunity to rest assured knowing that you did your best job as a caring and concerned parent.

Photo By Cory Bouthillette (Stock Snap)