Getting behind the wheel comes with inherent risks, but most of us, especially parents with children in the car, do everything possible to minimize those risks and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe on the road.
IDriveSafely recently surveyed over 1,800 parents across the US to see how driving habits changed when parents had children in the car. An impressive 82% of parents reported being safer drivers with children in the car, but there is one big blind spot for parents: short trips close to home.
Parents are less likely to practice normal vehicle safety when driving less than a mile. Take car seats for example. One in four parents admitted to allowing children to ride without their car seat when driving less than a mile. And it’s easy to understand why; it seems like the odds of an accident are smaller given such a short distance. But the fact is, the majority of car accidents happen close to home. Let’s take a closer look at The One Mile Problem and explore ways in which parents can keep their children as safe as possible on these easily-dismissed car rides.
We understand the difficulties of driving with small children. Fussing with car seats is never fun. And taking off coats before buckling children into their car seats takes a little extra time. We also understand how quickly a child’s needs can become a distraction for the driver.
But the risks of driving don’t disappear simply because you’re driving a short distance. Accidents can happen at any time, so it’s critical that parents remain vigilant, even on these short trips close to home.
If it’s worth driving to your destination, it’s worth taking the time to follow standard precautions. Make sure you’re prepared for the trip, that everyone is buckled in properly, and that electronics are set before putting the car in drive. Always drive safely, no matter the distance.
To learn more about safe driving and get more information about online driver training visit IDriveSafely.
