Driving with Kids? 5 Tips on Keeping Them Safe

January 12, 2012 | Filed under: Miscellaneous,The List | Posted by: Guest Blogger

Today’s technology ensures that we’re never bored in our vehicles. That may or may not be a good thing. Driving while distracted can be incredibly dangerous, both to yourself, the children in your car and others on the road. If you have a car packed with gadgets, follow these tips to get to your destination safely:

1. Cell Phones
Many cities have banned the use of cell phones while driving because so many accidents are caused by drivers who are paying more attention to their conversation than the road ahead. If you must talk on your phone while driving your car, consider installing a Bluetooth receiver in your car if it’s not already equipped with one. You can also choose to use a hands-free headset if a receiver doesn’t fit into your budget.

Texting while driving can be more dangerous than talking while driving, hence the abundance of public service announcements on the television. If you need to text and don’t have a Bluetooth system installed in your car, pull over to the side of the road or into a parking lot before you text.

2. DVD Players
DVD players are a great way to keep the children entertained on a long trip. Unfortunately, too many drivers consider them to be entertaining as well. If you have a DVD player installed in your car, have it installed in the back of your headrests so only the passengers in the back seat can see it. In addition, have your children or passengers use headsets while watching a movie. This will guarantee that you aren’t distracted by the movie playing in the backseat.

3. Navigation Devices
GPS devices help us get to our destinations in as little time as possible. Navigation devices can be incredibly helpful, especially for those that travel frequently. There is a right way, and a wrong way, to use these handy tools. If you plan to use a GPS in your car, make sure you purchase a windshield mount and place it in as unobtrusive area as possible.

Too often, drivers plug in their navigation device and sit it on the passenger seat, stick it in the cup holder or even carry it in their laps. Every time you take your eyes off of the road to look at your device you are putting yourself and others at risk.

4. mP3 Players
Much like GPS devices, mP3 players need to be mounted in the car properly. By keeping your player an eye-level, you are less likely to take your eyes off of the road to skip to the next song. Rather than placing your player in the middle of your windshield, consider placing it to the left hand side of your steering wheel. This position tends to be the least distracting.

Never use your ear buds while driving and listening to your mP3 player. Instead, purchase an auxiliary cable or an FM transmitter for your device. Using ear buds will block out exterior noise like sirens, putting you at risk for accidents.

5. Tablets
Tablet computers have made our lives much easier. From organizing our lives, providing entertainment and even attending online classes, there is virtually nothing we can’t do with a tablet PC. Don’t be tempted to use your tablet while driving, even if you are sitting at a red light. There is nothing you need to do on your tablet that can’t wait for ten or 15 minutes.

Technology is a great thing and it can be useful in our vehicles when used properly. If you have a new car or you’ve installed tech in an old car, use common sense while using it all. If you are distracted when you drive, you are putting everyone on the road at risk; including yourself.

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GPS: Digital Directions in a Physical World (frommyexperience.com)
Do You Have An Emergency Car Kit? (allenandallen.com)
10 Tips to Overcome Distractions (frommyexperience.com)

Posted by Guest Blogger on January 12, 2012. Filed under Miscellaneous, The List. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.