Driving safety protocol changes when there is a child in the vehicle; drivers need to be extra careful, and follow additional steps to ensure both the security and safety of the child, but of themself as well. Here’s a guide to enforcing driving safety when traveling with a child inside the car, as prepared by the towing experts here at Towing Chicago.
Don’t Leave Kids Alone in the Car
Even ambient heat that might seem comfortable to sit in outside can quickly make the interior of a car a dangerous and deadly setting for a small child. As a constant rule, never leave children unattended within a vehicle for any amount of time. Freezing or boiling temperatures quickly make a car’s interior uninhabitable- it’s simply being a good human to not leave your kids alone in your car.
Always Use a Car Seat
Car seats are mandated by law, and people driving with children should always make sure to have car seats on hand. Young children ALWAYS need to be placed in a booster seat or a car seat, as not doing so constitutes a major risk and danger. Car seats are the safest place for small children to sit during a car accident, as they give them the most protection. And no, letting a child sit on your lap is not at all a valid substitute.
Proper Car Seating
Make sure to choose the RIGHT car seat for each child. Look up the resources at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to find recommendations for car seats based on child size. Regardless of if the car seat is rear facing, front facing, or simply a booster seat, you will need to measure the exact height and weight of your child in order to determine which type of car seat will actually provide them protection.
Back Seat Riding
Make sure your children always ride in the back seat. The USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all children should only ride in the back seat of the car until they are at least 12 years old, as a general rule due to the potential for the force of front air bags posing a health risk for suffocation for small children.
Hold on to your Keys
Even if you’re simply loading up the trunk while your car is parked with your child sitting inside, make sure to keep the keys in your hand rather than sitting in the ignition. While this might seem intense, it’s actually a very important rule of thumb – as it’s dangerous to leave your children vulnerable inside a running car, as they can either play or tamper with the machine, or a random passersby could technically sit in the car and drive away. As long as you keep the keys in your hand, you will be the true master of the vehicle.