It doesn't matter how experienced you are behind the wheel or how high-tech your car is, driving carries a risk.
Sadly, thousands of fatalities on the roads occur every year, and millions of people get injured. To avoid contributing to these statistics, it's important to take lots of safety precautions when you're driving, especially when you've got children in the car.
Road safety is imperative for everybody but it's even more important if you've got a young baby. Children, toddlers, and babies are more vulnerable and can be seriously injured in the event of a road traffic incident.
Car Safety Tips for Moms and Dads
If you're a new parent, you might be worried about the safety of your little one in the car. But don't panic! There are lots of things that you can do to keep yourself and your baby safe and secure while you're driving.
Here are some top car safety tips for all of the new parents out there to keep your baby safe.
1. Use a secure baby car seat and stroller
A car seat and stroller combo is essential for any new parent. It keeps your little one safe and secure while you are driving and enables you to move them around without having to pick them up and carry them in your arms.
If you have older children who also need help getting into and out of the car, your stroller makes it easier to take care of everybody at once. You can find the best car seat and stroller combo for your baby's needs by searching online. There are lightweight, foldable, and self-standing options.
2. Be careful with which toys your child has in the car
Toys that are made out of hard plastic or have corners and edges can be dangerous in the car. If you crash or need to slam your brakes on, these toys can injure your baby
Choose the toys that your baby has in the car carefully. Stick to soft plushies and moldable toys that won't increase your baby's risk of injury in a collision.
3. Keep a fair distance from the car in front of you while driving
One of the most important driving safety rules is keeping a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you at all times. If the driver in front quickly applies their brakes, you’ll have time to come to a stop before crashing into their vehicle.
You should always aim to keep at least one car length between you and the vehicle ahead. If you're driving at high speeds, such as when you're on a highway, keep between two and three car lengths for extra safety.
You can also think of the two-second rule, which is exactly what it sounds like. Choose a fixed point on the road ahead and check when the car in front of your passes this point. It should be at least two seconds before you pass the same fixed point.
