Every parent wants their child to be safe when they are on the road. When they’re young we take care of them the best we can – driving safe, making sure they have their seatbelt on, etc – but they aren’t going to remain young forever. Eventually the time is going to come when they are out on their own and responsible for their own safety, and the road is a dangerous place.

According to experts like a car accident lawyer such as MyPhillyLawyer, “Every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports around 1,500 fatalities in Pennsylvania due to auto car accidents. The number of serious injuries is even higher.” And this is just in one state! The road is a dangerous place, but we can do certain things to make it less so for ourselves and our kids.

With that in mind, it’s important to pass on safe driving tips to your kids, so that they can form them into habits. That way, even though they are out of your car, they are still carrying your lessons with them. Here are just a few tips you should pass onto your kids:

Watch Your Speed

One of the first tips you should pass onto your kids is to watch the speed limit. We all have a habit of ignoring this number and instead go at a speed we are comfortable with. However, these numbers are set for a reason, and it’s important that you follow them. This is especially true for young drivers, who are more prone to go above the speed limit at dangerous levels.

When you have your kids in the car, be sure you are driving at or below the speed limit so that they get used to going this speed. Then, when they’re learning to drive, be sure you stay on top of them about their speed. Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, so if you can get your kids to slow down, you’ll keep them safer.

Protecting Your Car Interior

Teaching your kids safe driving habits is essential, but it’s also important to instill the value of maintaining their vehicle’s interior. Beyond the rules of the road, remind them about the significance of preserving their car’s interior, especially if they’re driving any vehicle with seats susceptible to wear and tear. So, wrangler seat covers are a practical solution to safeguarding the seats and ensuring they remain in excellent condition for years to come. These seat covers not only shield against spills, dirt, and daily wear but also add a touch of style to their vehicle’s interior. So, while emphasizing safe driving practices, don’t forget to impart the importance of caring for their car’s interior, ensuring that they have a safe and comfortable ride every time they hit the road.

Remove Distractions

Another leading cause of car accidents is distractions while driving. Maybe it’s the music is too loud, there are too many other people in the car, or you’re checking your phone while driving. As the driver, it’s important that you remove as many of these distractions as possible. Keep the volume to a reasonable level when you drive and don’t let your kids see you playing with your phone. If you catch your kids doing any of this while they’re driving, consider imposing some sort of punishment – like no car for a week.

Avoid Bad Weather

Next, try to keep your kids from driving when the weather is too bad. When we’re younger we think we can handle anything, and we’ll often go out in bad thunder or snow storms, even though we shouldn’t. Let your kids know about the dangers of driving in bad weather and how much damage it can cause to themselves and to the car. Chances are wherever they are going can wait for a few hours while the storm passes. If your child does need to drive in bad weather, be sure you have passed along some tips for driving in inclement weather.

Regularly Inspect Your Car

Finally, the last habit you should pass onto your kids is to regularly inspect the car. The parts within a car wear down and break over time, and this can often cause an accident. Maybe the brakes are worn down, or the tires are going bald and the need to go to a tire shop, or the windshield wipers are broken. Then suddenly you’re driving along when you realize there is a problem.

The best thing you can do is inspect your car regularly, or perform some checks before you drive. Show your kids how to check the oil, the windshield wiper fluid, and the tires. Advise them to check the lights, brakes, and wipers each time before the drive, so that you know they are working before you pull out of the driveway. A quick inspection only takes a couple of minutes, but it could prevent a lot of trouble down the road.

What to do if You’re in an Accident

Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, you may still find yourself in a car accident. If this happens, you’ll want your kids to know what to do. Instruct them on the proper order of things – getting to safety, calling the police, exchanging information, taking pictures, etc – and even consider running a practice drill.

You can’t keep your child safe forever, but you can at least instill good habits in them such as looking at Turnkey Signage. These habits will hopefully keep them safe long after they have left your car and are driving their own families around. No matter how old your kids are, it’s never too young to pass along some helpful advice and to set a good example, so start working on these habits the next time you’re in the car together.