ALT-1 Driving Safety Tips while Traveling with Kids
Driving with children in the car can be hazardous to your health. So say those who would know. Is there a magic solution to getting from point A to point B safely and intact with children in the car? Well, actually there is: all it takes is some organized planning.
Most kids aren't intimidated by much, and many of them are more than happy to take advantage of a situation where the adult in the room is otherwise engaged. If you are the lone adult driving a car full of kids, then that means you. Having another adult along can be very useful as long as they are focused on the children and not on catching up with you, complaining about their husband, or gripping about the cost of living increases.
What is organized planning where kids in a car are concerned? The first thing that needs to be clear is exactly how many kids are in the car. The second thing that needs to be addressed is how long the ride is going to be. From there it is on to the second phase of the organizational chart. The age and personalities of the children should be understood and seating arranged to compliment a socially acceptable grouping of said. When it is impossible to keep the rivals apart then phase two, part B needs to be engaged. Part B is all about a pre-arranged reward system. It should be introduced when the group as a whole are sat down for the pre-ride conference where boundaries and rules are outline.
Why boundaries and rules when we are just going down to the pizza parlor? When it comes to rivals, time is not a consideration. Therefore, boundaries are necessary, rules are crucial and rewards are indispensable; the longer the trip the more creative the reward system. Don't make the rewards all about money and stuff - be sure to throw in a few esoteric rewards to help form a bit of character along the way. When setting rules and boundaries you must also set consequences. Keep in mind that the consequences must be doable and once they are set they must be implemented when necessary. Failure to provide consequences even once will start an avalanche which will migrate over to even the most well behaved infant.
Boundaries and rule must also include the all important car safety measures. It needs to be understood by one and all that car seats and or seat belts will be used at all times. The longer the trip the more frequent the rest stops where confined kids are concerned. The biggest rule about the use of car seats is that once a kid is strapped in, only an adult can release them. It is at this point that it should be stressed that regardless of the situation, the driver must always pull over and bring the car to a complete stop if a child manages to escape their imprisonment from a car seat or seat belt.
Finally, when making the rules, one of them needs to be that there will be no angry yelling in the car while the car is in motion. This rule applies to everyone. A screaming adult behind the wheel of a fast moving car can be more dangerous than a cornered cougar. The rule for everyone is - if anger gets to the yelling part - it is time for a rest stop. Another rule is when at the rest stop "stranger danger" applies even more-so than it does while in a familiar neighborhood. Unsupervised children at a rest stop can lead to an ugly incident that no one really wants to contemplate.
Depending on the length of the trip will depend on the number of attention diverters necessary for everyone to survive the trip. Anything that the kids don't just hate can be used. Have plenty of alternative choices should the prevailing winds change or the mood darken. It is always a good idea to discuss this topic right after the rules and boundaries are outlined. Assuming you think you know what they might like could lead to a rolling disaster. Just because you were forced to endure a car game on family trips doesn't mean your kids have to take the same rite of passage. Save yourself some grey hair and strained vocal cords - check with the kids first.
A long road trip - and for some kids even a short trip - might require taking along favorite toys or blankey's. If it is a small car full lots of kids, try to keep paraphernalia at a minimum. The longer the trip the more important it is to have adequate space for everyone. Cramming kids, toys, clothes, food and beverages into an inadequate vehicle is sure to ruin all the fun for everyone. Spend a few extra bucks and rent a larger vehicle or borrow one from someone willing to risk having it full of "children".
If a road trip includes overnight travel it will be important to plan the drive time to allow for adequate rest stops and still allow an arrival before dark. If you will be staying at a road side motel try to find one that includes a website with a virtual tour and share it ahead of time with the kids so they know what to look forward to; safety and security for children is more than car seats and creative diversions.
Last but not least, is the all too common, and seemingly necessary, cell phone in the car. Using a cell phone while the car is in motion can be very dangerous, being distracted by a cell phone while kids are in the car is a sure fire recipe for disaster. Some people are very handy dandy about multi-tasking. Having the skill sets necessary to do more than one thing at a time will be amply tested with children in the car. Save the phone calls for the rest stops; keep in mind that even then the kids will need your full attention.
Keeping the above precepts in mind can help anyone drive safely with kids. There is no guarantee you will be sane at the end of the trip, but everyone will be whole and healthy if basic common sence is employed.
