Driving With Kids – 5 Tips to Help You Avoid an Accident

Whether you’re taking them to school, driving them to grandma’s house or you’re taking them out for the day, no matter how long the car journey, driving with kids in the back isn’t always sing-alongs and best behavior! 

Driving with kids is a huge distraction, whether they’re arguing and fighting in the back seat or they’re laughing, being silly and asking you a million questions. Distracted drivers cause a huge amount of accidents every year and the idea of being caught up in a crash with your children in the back is simply terrifying. The last thing you want is to have to file a claim – click here if you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer. 

But, help is at hand. Here you’ll find 5 simple and straightforward tips for driving with kids that will help you avoid an accident. 

Keep calm

It’s not easy to remain calm when you’re driving, especially when your kids are screaming, kicking the back of your seat and refusing to get along. The best thing you can do right now is stay calm, resist the urge to turn in your seat and reprimand them for their bad behavior, and don’t let your emotions get the better of you. If you need to pull over at the earliest opportunity and allow the situation to calm itself. The more distracted from the road you have, the more likely you are to be involved in a crash.

Ask for help

If you’re planning a long journey, consider bringing along another adult for the duration. They can help keep the kids calm and entertained while you focus on driving. They’ll be able to distribute snacks and drinks, play games and defuse any brooding arguments.

Don’t be afraid of tech

Many parents are reluctant to give their kids too much screen time. But keeping your kids quiet and content on the road will allow you to drive with due care and attention. So, let them have a tablet or your phone to keep them occupied for a while. If it makes you feel better, consider downloading some educational games/material for them to look at. 

Keep them fed and watered

When kids are hungry or thirsty then become irritable and can quickly turn any journey into a nightmare. Always take a bottle of water each for them to drink from, and a few simple snack options to keep those tummy rumbles at bay. This will almost certainly keep them quiet so you can keep your eyes on the road.

Plan stops

If you’re going to be on the road for a while, it’s tempting to just hit the gas and get there as quickly as possible. However, when you have kids in the back it’s much better (and safer) to make planned stops and let them stretch their legs, use the bathroom and let off some steam. The fresh air might encourage the kids to take a nap, leaving you free to concentrate on the road ahead and get everyone to their destination safely.