Driving safely is very important, especially when you’re carrying precious cargo. You may not realize how much of an effect on your child’s driving habits, even before they are old enough to drive.
Becoming a positive influence is very important when it comes to your children. With all the improvements for safety on the roads, the one thing that still trumps them all is safe driving. As a parent, you can start to instill safety habits into your child’s mind before they are anywhere close to getting their driver’s license. Here are a few of the things you can do to keep your children safe and help influence their driving habits in the future.
Wear Your Seatbelt All the Time
Any car accident attorney in Las Vegas will agree, wearing your seatbelt is the first step to showing your children safe driving habits. If you wear your seatbelt, they are more likely to follow suit and do the same. Many studies have shown that when parents wear seatbelts, their children will mimic their actions.
Children are like sponges and they soak up everything you do or don’t do. They also have a desire to be just like their parents, since you are likely their closest role model. If you want to instill the safe driving practice of wearing a seatbelt, start by doing it in front of your child and they will follow your lead.
Practice Safe Driving Habits
Have you ever seen the commercial with the young child in the back seat acting like they are driving the car, while dad drives it? This is exactly what children do and they will catch onto your driving habits. If you run stop signs, speed, break rules and don’t drive safely, this may stick with them. When they are old enough to drive, they may rationalize bad driving habits by thinking that mom or dad does it, so it must be right.
Drive like you’re carrying the most precious cargo possible, because your children are more likely to pick up on your good and safe driving habits.
Choose a Safe Car Seat
Choosing the right car seat may not influence your children, but it will help keep them safe. The right car seat isn’t the cheapest or the most expensive. Instead, it’s the one you feel most comfortable with and is the safest option for your children. Do your homework and make sure you choose a car seat perfect for your specific situation.
These are just a few tips to help instill safe driving habits into your children before they are old enough to drive. The last thing you want to find out is that your bad habit caused your child to get into an accident. Always wear your seatbelt and practice safe driving habits and you will be doing your part to positively influence your children.