Driving with your children in the car is an experience that many parents cherish. There are so many things that you can do together while you’re driving, and it’s a great way for moms and dads to bond with their kids. However, if something goes wrong on the road trip, there is a chance of injury or death. This blog will provide some helpful tips to make sure that the journey is safe for your kids.
- One of the main points about driving with children in the car is not drinking alcohol and being on medications, if possible. You want to be sober enough to think clearly, and you also don’t want anything else impairing your judgement while driving around.
- The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. Make sure you are free from distractions on the road. Road Trips are fun but distractions can easily ruin a good time fast. Keep the phone out of reach and make sure to focus on driving.
- Make sure you know where you are heading with clear directions so you can avoid looking at your phone frequently .
- Keep your children in a car seat or booster seat at all times!
- During long car rides, let your child take a break and stretch their legs every hour. Get out of the car to walk around or play in the parking lot for 15 minutes before getting back on the road. Kids can only hold their bladder for about an hour, so stop every time you see a gas station or place to use the restroom.
- Make sure they have plenty of toys with them! This will keep them entertained during a long drive but also keep things fun. Consider fun games by having them play with cards against another passenger, the license plate game, or grocery store game are also fun choices.
- Make sure your child has snacks but also ensure your snacks are not choking hazards. Your eyes will be on the run so this is important. Here are some good choices to consider: Granola bars, crackers, and portable applesauce.
- Make sure children know not to lean against windows or doors because it’s dangerous.
We recommend you take the time to set up boundaries with your children before you hit the road. This will help keep them safe and make sure they are comfortable in their surroundings, which is key for a successful family vacation outing! The physicians and staff at Bay Area Family Physicians appreciate the opportunity to provide your medical services and hope you have a GREAT summer. We want to strengthen communication between our office and you, our patients. As specialists in Family Medicine, we focus on primary care needs for patients of all ages – from newborns to the elderly. We diagnose and treat almost all medical conditions. Ideally, your entire family will see the same doctor, allowing both you and your doctor to establish a close, trusting relationship. Contact us today for more information!
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