Teach Your Kids “The Rules of the Ride”

By Julie Joyce

Keeping your children safe during
transport can often be a truly
challenging experience. All kids,
from babies to teens, can contribute
to circumstances and conditions that
could distract the driver. And it
only takes one distraction to cause
an accident.

While all drivers must learn the
“rules of the road” passengers must
also learn the “Rules of the Ride.”
By firmly establishing rules that
your children/passengers must adhere
to, your family may be able to
dramatically reduce the likelihood of
auto accident injuries.

THE RULES OF THE RIDE:

-1- No kids in the front. The safest
place for children is in the back seat.
Air bags are designed to accomodate
adult size passengers in the front seat
and if deployed can pose serious injury
risk to a child in the front seat.
Also, don’t overlook the potential
hazard of side air bags. You need to
determine if your child’s seat is too
close to such air bags.

-2- Every passenger wears a seat belt.
No exceptions!

-3- Children up to about 8yrs. old should
be seated in a safety restraint that
is appropriate for their age and height.
As your child grows, follow manufacturer
guidelines on car seats, booster seats,
and seat belt adjustors. Having a safety
seat is not enough. Most seats are not
correctly installed. You may be able
to locate a trained installation
technician to give you a free install
demonstration. Contact your local
police department, auto dealer,
local baby furniture store or contact
the National Highway Transportation
Safety Administration:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

Click on: Child Seat Inspections.

-4- Do not disturb the driver.
No matter how late or busy you may
be, you need to make it crystal clear
to your passengers that any disturbance
can not and will not be tolerated.
Any violations should cause you to
STOP the car immediately. Refuse to
proceed regardless of the consequences
until all passengers comply.

You need to realize that there
is no greater consequence than
injury or death which could most
certainly result when the driver’s
attention is compromised.
(Of course, this does NOT mean stopping
in a manner that creates a traffic
hazard or violation. Safely park the
vehicle).

-5- Never throw things in the car.
For obvious reasons, the driver
could be dangerously distracted.

-6- No fighting or yelling is allowed.
(This goes for parents too!).
Stop the car until the issues are
worked out or all passengers agree
to postpone the argument until you
have reached your destination.

-7- Limit eating and drinking while
your vehicle is in motion. Any abrupt
stop or impact could cause those eating
to have food items lodged in the
throat (causing choking) or to have
hot beverages spill (causing burns).

-8- Limit radio/music playing to a
sound level that will allow the driver
to hear approaching emergency vehicles
or other important traffic concerns.

Oh, and here are some rules
for parents:

-1- Never, ever, leave a child
or children alone in a vehicle.
Not only are they at risk of
abduction, but also harm from
exposure to extreme temperatures.

-2- Don’t overload your car.
Too many passengers creates a very
dangerous opportunity for multiple
distractions. Again, it only takes
one to cause an accident.

-3- Despite the warnings and hazards
someone is right now driving while
under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
sleep deprived, dialing/using a cell phone,
reading a map or book, eating a doughnut
or fries, and putting on makeup.
Make sure you are watching out for this
irresponsible person who could be about
to run into your family. If you are
guilty of the above…park your car
before you kill someone else’s kids.

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About the Author:
Julie Joyce is a Family Safety Expert,
committed to teaching parents how to
protect their kids from a variety of dangers.
She is the Editor of FamilySafety101.com
and the “Safe Kids Report” newsletter.
Parents can access F-r-e-e Child ID Kits
and other f-r-e-e family safety resources, at:

http://www.FamilySafety101.com

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