Yes, driving with children is dangerous. Here’s what you can do to help

Driving with children in your vehicle may be more distracting than you think. From crying to kicking the back of the seat, a child has plenty of things they can do to distract you from your foremost responsibility: paying attention to the road.

It’s important for parents and guardians to realize how dangerous driving with passengers, and especially children, can be. Before you drive, there are some steps you should take to make sure your ride is as safe as possible.

How can you be safer from distractions with children in your vehicle?

To be safer when driving with children, there are a few ground rules that you should follow. These include:

• Talking to your children about good behavior in a vehicle
• Being prepared by bringing the items they need in the vehicle and keeping them within reach
• Making children wait when you need to concentrate on driving
• Pulling over if there is an emergency or if you need to discipline your children

The reality is that listening to a tantrum or trying to discipline a child from where you’re sitting may not be possible without causing a serious distraction and high risk of a collision. If you aren’t sure what to do, the best course of action is to pull over.

How can you distract children to make the ride safer?

There are a few things you can do to distract your children and make your ride safer. The first is to consider using the radio, a tablet or another digital device to keep their attention away from the trip itself. Some children become impatient on a long drive, but having a cartoon or video to watch can make a big difference in their behavior.

Another thing to consider is driving when your children are more likely to sleep. Drive around your children’s bedtimes or in the early morning, so they fall asleep for at least some of the ride. This can help manage it more manageable if you need to go a long distance.

Car safety is a concern for parents. Take these steps into consideration to keep yourselves safe on your next drive.