The Off Duty Network - Public Safety Education
Car Safety Tips for Kids and Parents
Always use an approved car seat.
If your child cries or fusses when you put them in their car seat, say or sing each time: "We are going for a ride...it's time to buckle up." Your child will learn that buckling up is part of riding in the car.
Be sure to stress to your children that riding in the car is not a game and that your attention must be on the road, not on them.
When driving with children in the car, always use extra caution. Take a moment before you start the car to realize that the children will distract you, and that you must stay focused and take no chances while driving.
Learn to block out crying. If you let it get to you, your risk of having an accident increases significantly.
If your spouse is driving and your child is screaming, NEVER take him/her out of the car seat, even for a minute. Not only does this send a mixed message about the importance of the car seats, it is dangerous and against the law.
NEVER leave your child or children unattended in the car, even if you are just popping into the post office, bank or store for just a second. Take your children with you, even if you can see your car from inside.
Teen Driving
Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death injury to teens under 19.
Teens are involved in car accidents four times as often as all other age groups combined
A teen's chance of dying in a car accident triples from ages 13-15 to ages 15-19.
About 50 percent of teen vehicle deaths involve alcohol.
Every day, 26 people between the ages of 16 and 24 die in traffic accidents.
You as the parents, must be a good mentor be following all traffic laws and being a safe and cautious driver. You must also be a good driving supervisor and be sure your teen knows the following ROAD RULES:
Driving is a privilege not a requirement
Driving a car is an enormous responsibility. Your life, the lives of your passengers and the lives of others on the road depend your careful and responsible driving.
ALWAYS wear a seatbelt with shoulder strap.
NEVER ride with a driver how has been drinking or using drugs, no matter how small the amount.
Here are some ways to effectively supervise your teen's driving that can help to keep them safe and keep you sane:
Let your teen drive to gain experience, but choose lover risk situations.
Set limits for driving in high risk situations, such as late at night with other teems in the car, or on dangerous roads.
Set an appropriate curfew for your teen.
Establish clear expectations. Discuss all the road rules and limits before your teen even gets a license.
Establish a no-tolerance policy for any form of substance abuse by your teen.
Offer your teen a "safety net": If they go out with friends in the car, make sure they know they can call you for a ride home if the driver becomes impaired in any way.