From the moment you become a parent, the safety and wellbeing of your child is your top priority. You change your entire lifestyle to resonate with the needs and requirements of your baby because you are responsible to protect them from any danger that may hurt them.
Driving with a baby on board brings safety awareness on a higher level. It is challenging to be a mom and a driver at the same time. You need to pay extra attention to the road because the safety of your baby depends on your driving skills and style.
Unfortunately, in the last several years, there has been a significant increase in the number of road accidents. Thus, you must be a thousand times cautions when you have your baby in the backseat while you are driving. Read on to find out safe driving tips that will enhance your and your baby’s safety while you are on the road.
Install an infant car seat
Taking your baby in the car without an infant car seat is the worst mistake you could make. It is absolutely necessary to have the right type and size of car seat for your infant whether you are driving your car to a place nearby or on a long trip. It is the best way to ensure that your baby will be protected in the car.
When choosing the car seat for your baby, make sure that it is right for the size of your child. Specialists recommend rear-facing infant car seats as being the safest for your baby. Once you decide on an infant car seat, make sure you install it correctly and make sure the belts and clips are positioned correctly before you hit the road.
Install a back-seat mirror
While you are driving, it can be very difficult to check on your baby every few minutes. Moreover, it can be incredibly dangerous to take your eyes from the road to check on your little one. However, you also need to keep an eye on your infant, especially if you are on the road for a long time. Luckily, there is a very useful solution which will help you keep your eyes and attention on the road while you can also easily check your baby from time to time. A backseat mirror will help you see your baby all the time and make sure that everything is fine back there.
Don’t talk on the phone while driving
Talking on the phone without using a hands-free device is first of all illegal. You will most likely receive a ticket for using the phone while driving. However, it is for your own good and safety because talking on the phone while driving can be very dangerous. It is a big distraction which might make you take your eyes off the road and lose your concentration on what is happening in the traffic. In fact, phone usage while driving is one of the leading causes of road accidents worldwide. Thus, when you have a baby on board while driving, there is certainly no phone call or text more important than your safety of your child.
Get a car insurance
Whether you drive with a baby on board or not, having car insurance is paramount. Having insurance is the best way to prevent spending a lot of money in repairing your car in case you are involved in a road accident. The specialists from https://www.mis-insurance.com/sr22-insurance/ explain that “No matter how good of a driver you might be, car insurance will provide you financial support in case your car is stolen, vandalized, or destroyed by fire.”
When choosing between the different types of auto insurance, choose the one that is right for you and offers the kind of coverage your car needs. Also, if you don’t have a perfect driving record, SR-22 insurance may be the best choice for you.
Don’t drive when you are tired
Driving while you are exhausted can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. As a mother, you may be familiar with staying up until late hours or not sleeping at all because you had to take care of your baby. Sleep deprivation can lead to similar effects in your body as huge amounts of alcohol would have. Not only that you are at risk of falling asleep while driving and cause a car accident, but your instincts and reflexes are also not as quick as when you are well-rested.
If you are behind the wheel and start yawning and feel like your eyes could close at any second, immediately stop on the side of the road, park your car and take your baby safely with a cab or public transportation.
Stick a “Baby on Board” sign
You certainly know the yellow “Baby on Board” sign and if you don’t have one placed on the back window of your car, it is imperative that you purchase one. Having a sign which announces the other traffic participants that you have an infant in the back seat is a great idea for a multitude of reasons.
First of all, the other drivers will know that they need to pay greater attention to avoiding making a sudden direction change or another move which may put your car at risk. Also, in case of an accident, the officers or ambulance staff will know that there might be an infant in the car who needs immediate medical attention.
Don’t be in a hurry
Driving with high speed is another leading cause of the rising number of road accidents. As the roads are becoming busier, people lose their patience and tend to speed up while driving. Driving fast can make you lose the control of wheel or unable to avoid an accident which could have been avoided if you had a lower speed. When you have a baby on board, there is nothing more important than their safety. So, don’t be in a hurry to reach a certain location if that involves putting you and your baby at risk.
Bonus: Don’t leave you baby inside the car!
No matter what happens, the temperature outside and not even for a few minutes.
