Car safety is important for every member of the family no matter the age. When you think about all of the different things to worry about, it can be a bit daunting. Keeping key facts and tips in mind when you and your loved ones get in your vehicle can help cut down on stress and reduce road dangers.
Are you in the market for a car seat? Probably the most frequently asked question by parents is, “Which is the safest seat?” There is no perfect answer to this question. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides ratings of car seats on the market. When you are searching for the right car seat, there are several things to keep in mind:
Look For a Seat That Has a Harness
A five-point harness fits most kids well and reduces the chance of being ejected from the vehicle during an accident. Always make sure the harness is snug. The easier it is to adjust its tightness, the more likely you will adjust a harness properly for each car ride; pick a seat that allows for front adjustments.
Keep Your Child’s Weight in Mind
While you are on the hunt, weight and height are important factors in choosing the best car seat. Be sure to look at the weight limits on seats. For example, newer models have 80 to 100 pound limits.
Consider the Height of Your Child
Some seats have higher backs than others. Seats that have room for taller children allow for a more accurate, safer fit and may also allow you to use the car seat for a longer period of time, since your child is less likely to outgrow it as quickly.
The Age of the Car Seat Plays a Factor
Buying a new car seat is the best option. If you are using an older car seat, either one that was handed down or purchased at a thrift store, you may not know the history of the seat. You may be unaware if it is damaged, has been in a previous accident or if the restraint ratings are out of date. If a new car seat is out of your budget, be sure to have the seat inspected by a professional to make sure it is in good working condition.
Source: Car-Safety.org
Here are some tips if you are concerned about your child’s seat:
Car Seat Usage Statistics
Lead By Example
Almost 40 percent of unbuckled drivers were unrestrained as kids themselves.
Always Buckle Up
Child safety seats reduce the risk of death by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years.
Check and Double Check
A study found that 72 percent of car and booster seats were misused, leading to an increase in a child’s risk of injury during a crash.
Use Your Best Judgment
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, booster seats reduce injury risk by 59 percent in children ages 4 to 7 years compared to seat belts alone. Source: CDC.gov
Most parents of teen drivers are primarily concerned about protecting their child’s safety and well-being. Over the past several years, many states have enacted driving laws like the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program for new, inexperienced drivers. GDL programs, coupled with good parenting in the passenger seat, can aid in preventing teen car crashes. Here are some tips for keeping your teen’s hands at ten and two, eyes on the road and out of harm’s way:
Teens with Learner’s Permits
Once your teen has received his or her learner’s permit, practice driving with them as often as possible. Make sure you ride with them in a variety of weather conditions, road conditions and different times of the day. Within a six month period, try to supervise their driving for at least 30 hours, or better yet 60 hours if you can.
Before Your Teen Hits the Road Alone
Be sure to set some ground rules. Always make sure they buckle up. If the GDL program in your area does not set rules, make sure you cap their night driving as well as limit the amount of passengers allowed in their vehicle until they have either graduated from this stage of the program or until you feel confident in your teen’s driving abilities.
Enforce Driving Rules with a Contract
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a great example contract on their website to use as a template. It includes a promise for your teen to make in regards to staying focused, respecting state laws and being a responsible driver. It also includes setting restrictions on your teen’s driving schedule until he or she is a conscientious driver, plus penalties for violating the contract.
Instate a Policy About Cell Phone Usage
As much as 50 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 text while driving. Parents should enforce putting away the distractions while driving. Make sure you and your family are in the know about your state’s laws on cell phone usage while driving.
Graduated Driver License Program
Find state-specific information on GDL laws. There are typically three stages of a GDL.
- A specified, supervised learning driving period.
- After passing the driving test, an intermediate level of driving that provides limitations on night driving, the amount of passengers, etc.
- A full driver’s license once passing the above two stages.
Proven results. Research shows that the most comprehensive GDL programs reduce car crashes up to 40 percent.
Limit passengers. Double the teens in the car, double the risk of a crash. With three or more passengers, the risk of crashing is three times higher than if he/she were driving alone.
Buckle Up. Seat belt usage drops to less than 40 percent when Mom or Dad isn’t in the car.
Limit driving hours. Driving between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. triples the risk of crashing for 16 year-old drivers.
Sources: CDC.gov and Edmunds.com
According to USA Today, last year, more than 250 bills prohibiting or restricting cell phone usage while driving were pending in 42 states. Some states are even considering banning all cell phone usage, including hands-free devices.
There are serious risks associated with using a cell phone while driving. In addition to being aware for yourself, lead by example and show your children the importance of paying attention to the road. The primary responsibility of drivers is to operate a motor vehicle safely. The task of driving requires full attention and focus. Cell phone use can distract drivers from this task, risking harm to themselves, passengers and others on the road. Therefore, the safest course of action is to refrain from using a cell phone when driving at all times.
If you must use your phone, make the road a little safer with these suggestions:
Four out of five accidents are because of distracted drivers. While there are debates on whether using a hands-free device is safer than talking on the phone at all, statistics show that of the phone-related tasks (reaching for the phone, dialing, talking and texting), texting is the most dangerous.
Did you know?
In 2008, CTIA – The Wireless Association® estimated that 270 million people in the U.S. have cell phones. That’s 90 percent of our population! In 2007, the NHTSA (National Highway Travel & Safety Administration) estimated about 11 percent of the population used a phone while driving at any moment during the day.
Source: USAToday.comDistractions Are Risky
20 percent: The percentage of adult drivers who send text messages while driving.
25 percent: The percentage of car crashes caused by talking on a cell phone.
76 percent: The percent of time a driver’s eyes are off the road while either sending or receiving a text message.
Source: EdgarSnyder.com
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