Without a doubt, we have so may distractions when driving. But when you have “precious cargo” – your children – in the back seat, you should use a little more common sense and drive with safety as a priority. Because when you let yourself be distracted, you are putting your children at risk. Here are 5 Mom-Inspired Driving Tips, although I am sure there are more we can add! After you read this, if you feel I should have added one just post a comment with your own tips!
1. Put Away the Smart Phones: Smart Phones increase the distraction thanks to using them to make calls, text and check all your social networks every time you are at a red light. And we know plenty of people try to do those same things when driving! My mom won’t even answer the phone when she drives. She just checks her messages when she reaches her destination, which is just minutes away. If the compulsion is too great, you can also put your phone in your purse (what I do) or even put it in the trunk of your car.
2. Don’t Turn Around When Driving: I know it sounds simple enough, but moms are so used to seeing to their children’s requests. From picking up a fallen pacifier, trying to soothe a fussy baby, getting snacks out, or when your child asks you to “look at this”. But taking your eyes off the road for just a second can cause an accident if the cars around you suddenly brake, come into your lane or a pedestrian crosses, thinking your eyes are on the road – not the child in the backseat.
3. Buckle Up: It was such a no-brainer, I almost didn’t think of it until I saw Esurance’s Driving Tips for Parent’s. But, they are totally correct! Even if you are driving a short distance within your neighborhood, buckle up yourself AND your children. Remember what they say, most accidents happen when you are almost at home. It’s amazing how many children I see improperly buckled, seated or babies in their parent’s laps in the front seat as the car is moving!
4. Leave the House 5- 10 Minutes Early: Or at least try to. If you think you need to leave the house at 2:30, leave at 2:20. Because without a doubt a child will want to run in for one last thing, someone will have to pee, or you’ll forget the cell phone and have to rush in yourself. So by the time you actually leave, 5 – 10 minutes have flown by. If you take into account those last minute extras, you won’t be rushing on the road. And if by some miracle everyone did get in the car the first time, you can enjoy a nice leisurely drive to your destination.
5. Follow the laws of the road: Obey the speed limit, follow the traffic lights, stop completely at a stop sign, and don’t try to race a slowing or stopping school bus. All of these laws are in place for your safety and the safety of those around you. The result is you can teach your children good driving habits and you can avoid paying a nasty traffic ticket yourself!
Those are my five top driving tips for moms, although all drivers can benefit from them. The difference is that moms easily place their children’s safety first, so when in doubt remember if you don’t want your children to be harmed, just keep your eye on the road, your foot light on the pedal and pay attention to your surroundings (not your phone) when driving.
Get more safety tips from Esurance on their blog (blog.esurance.com), Twitter ( @esurance ) or Facebook. You can like them right below!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
Yes I agree exactly, driving with air conditioned and your windows closed consumes less gas than driving with the windows opened.