Driving with Children
My book, "The American Red Cross" book explains how everyone regardless of age and no matter how short the trip, needs a safety restraint. The author, Kathleen A. Handal speaks about the rules in the car, "Don't set out until every passenger is buckled up. Since children are small, they are at greater risk for being thrown around the inside of the car or thrown from it during n accident" (Handal 281). She further explains that older children should sit in the backseat with seat belts fastened. Infants and young children needs special car seats because their bodies are not developed enough to withstand the pressure of an ordinary seat belt if a car crash occurs.
Handal explains that, "Holding a child on your lap is not safe. Even if you are wearing your seatbelt, the child could be thrown out of your arms. Even if you've fastened the child in your lap with the safety belt, your child could be crushed by your weight in an accident" (Handal 281). This all explains why no one should break the rules with children, that following the rules would only prevent harm and be safe. This can also have a very bad impression on children that they can do in the future. When I was toddler, I was taught to always understand and trust the rules of the car inside. This caused me from flinging inside the car when my parents car got in a accident.
Types of seats for children:
- An infant seat is needed for babies of up to about 20 lbs. These seats face the rear of the car. If an accident were to occur, the force of the impact will throw the baby's back against the delicate seat.
- A car seat is appropriate for children of about 20 -40 lbs. Car seats face the front and have a harness or shield or combination of both,
- A booster seat (designed for car use) is for children of about 30-60 lbs.
Other safety guidelines for driving with children:
- The back seat is safer than the front seat
- Never leave children unattended in the car
- Until children reach about age 6, use safety locks on the rear doors so they cannot let themselves out unexpectedly
- Look out for fingers when closing doors
- Lock automatic windows
- Never allow children to ride in the bed of a truck
- When letting children out of the car, make sure its towards to side walk and not the road
- Be sure there are no sharp objects showing anywhere, they can become a serious hazard
Have you or someone you know ever been in a situation that resulted from not following the rules? Even if you don't drive, has your thoughts about this topic change your opinion about having children in the car?
I think most of the advice here is pretty much common sense. I also remember learning all of this when I took the mandatory parenting class at the hospital before having children. I will say, that it is very nerve-wracking to drive with a child in the car for the first time. I remember driving my BFF's kiddo home one day and I drove the entire time in the right lane like a grandma and was super nervous whenever I couldn't hear him breathing. I pulled over at one point to make sure he was okay - of course he was - I was just being WAY overly cautious, which can also be a hazard on the road. What do you think: is being overly cautious just as dangerous as being negligent?
ReplyDeleteGood question. Yes, I do believe being overly cautious is just as dangerous as being negligent. They can both cause the same things such as, accidents, injuries, breaking the law, and much more damage. Thanks for commenting.
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