One of the distractions that drivers face sometimes is that they are paying attention to other occupants of the vehicle. It’s easy to say that this shouldn’t happen but any parent knows that the chance of not having to pay attention to what’s going on in the back of their car is slim.
When you have your most precious family members in the vehicle with you, safety has to be a top concern. There are several things that you can do that will help to keep everyone as safe as possible during the journey:
- First, set the standard for the drive. Let the children know that if you’re going to have to pay attention to them that you’ll have to stop the car. This obviously won’t work with younger children, but it can be effective with older ones, especially if they want to go somewhere.
- Second, you must ensure that everyone is buckled in. This means into an infant or child’s car seat, a booster seat, or a seatbelt. Don’t allow any occupant of the vehicle to get up and move around while the vehicle is in motion.
- Third, secure items within the vehicle. Any item that isn’t properly secured can become a projectile if there’s a wreck. Placing things like groceries in the trunk of the vehicle is ideal, but placing them all the way in the back of the vehicle is best if there isn’t a trunk. Cargo anchors and secured netting can also help if there isn’t a trunk.
Even if you’re driving safely and following the laws, there’s a chance that your vehicle will still be struck. Make sure that you and your children get medical care if this happens. You may also opt to pursue a claim for compensation from the liable parties.