Tips on Keeping Your Children Safe in Motor Vehicles
New parents are often nervous wrecks placing their newborn in a car for the first time. Every strap and buckle on the car seat is carefully checked. Most parents continue to carefully buckle their children into the vehicle every time they leave the house.
Unfortunately, car accidents can still happen, and these collisions can have devastating consequences. Reducing child fatalities in car accidents is a priority for everyone from your pediatrician to the National Transportation and Safety Administration. Whether you’re a new parent or a pro, here are some tips on how to keep your children safe in vehicles.
While these tips may not be able to prevent all types of car accidents, they can help keep your children safe.
Car and Booster Seats are the Law
Before leaving the hospital with your new baby, you’ll need a car seat. But, don’t go out there and grab any old car seats since the law has some specific requirements you need to keep in mind.
Not meeting these requirements may mean you’re stuck at the hospital until you find an approved car seat, and some hospitals also have car seats new parents can purchase.
So, what are these specific car seat requirements? The requirements change from infancy up to pre-teen years and include:
Infant car seats must be rear-facing—there’s no exception. These car seats are small and easily portable. Some also come with removable inserts that help support your newborn’s neck and head. Most infants outgrow their car seats before their first birthday.
When your infant outgrows their car seat, don’t automatically reach for a front-facing model. You’ll still need to use a rear-facing car seat until your child turns two. You also want to pay attention to the car seat’s weight limit. If your child is two but still below the weight limit, hold off on upgrading to a front-facing model. Not sure what the weight limit is? You can find this information on the car seat. You should also check with local New York laws, which typically recommend using a rear-facing car seat until your child weighs around 40 pounds.
Moving on to a front-facing car seat can be a big deal for your two-year-old. Suddenly, they get a view out of the vehicle’s front windshield and can more easily participate in other passenger’s activities. What should you look for in a front-facing car seat? While most manufacturers include a five-point safety harness, it’s still something to double-check. Don’t forget about side-impact protection. This technology can effectively protect your child if your vehicle is involved in an accident.
Once your child has outgrown the front-facing car seat, move on to a booster seat. You should expect to use a booster seat until your child is around 4’9” in height. Usually between the ages of 8 and 12.
Other safety tips for car seats include making sure your child is properly secured. A five-point safety harness is a start, but don’t forget about your vehicle seat belt system. The car seat must be buckled into the vehicle’s rear seat. Never place a car seat in the front passenger seat.
Why do you want to avoid the front passenger seat? Most vehicles come with airbags designed to protect drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. However, the force from the airbag inflating can cause serious injuries or even death if it hits the car seat or child.
Keeping Your Child Safe on the Road
While you can’t prevent all types of car accidents, you can take steps to help ensure you’re not the at-fault driver. Some of these tips may even help prevent an accident.
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
You spend plenty of time ensuring your child is securely buckled into their car seat. You pay the same close attention when buckling the car seat into your vehicle. However, what about you? Are you wearing your seat belt every time you get behind the wheel?
An accident can happen whether it’s a quick trip to the corner store or on a longer journey. Did you know wearing a seat belt is also the law in New York? This applies to both drivers and passengers.
Consider Taking a Defensive Driving Course
Okay, defensive driving doesn’t mean being an aggressive driver on the road. Instead, the course teaches you how to avoid potential situations that may result in an accident. Along with reviewing state and federal traffic laws, you’ll also learn some tips that can help you and your children stay safe on the roads.
Avoid Driving in Hazardous Conditions
Depending on your region’s climate, it may be impossible to avoid all dangerous driving conditions. This can include wet, slick roads, ice, snow, fog, and hail. Whenever possible, don’t drive when the roads may be hazardous.
If you have to go out, leave your children safely at home if possible, which may mean planning your errands around the weather, but it can also help you avoid a vehicle accident.
Refrain from Distracted Driving
Distracted driving refers to anything that takes your eyes off the road, even for a second—this means putting your phone down, not texting or calling while driving. You also want to refrain from playing with the radio stations or the vehicle’s infotainment screen.
If your child starts crying, wait to check on your little one until you’ve safely pulled off of the road completely. You also don’t want other passengers to distract you: your only focus should be on your driving.
Keep Up with Vehicle Maintenance
Vehicle maintenance can play a role in car wrecks since a flat or bald tire can cause your vehicle to spin out of control. Your brakes are another crucial safety component, so keep up with brake maintenance to ensure you can always come to a quick and complete stop.
Vehicle Accidents Can Happen to Careful Drivers
Following all traffic and child safety regulations doesn't always prevent car collisions. If you and your child are involved in such an incident, it's important to consult with an accident attorney.
Your attorney will be dedicated to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive appropriate compensation for any injuries and damages sustained by you or your child. Their expertise is vital in addressing the complexities of car collision cases involving children.
