A lot of parents put off vehicle safety.
Until something bad happens.
Does that sound like you?
Thousands of families every year can’t say the same. In 2023 alone, 1,019 children lost their lives in traffic crashes.
Vehicle safety should be every family’s top priority. When you have kids in the car, it doesn’t matter how careful you are… there’s always a chance something terrible can happen.
The best way to protect your family on the road is to know which safety priorities are most important. Here are the ones every parent should know.
You’ll learn:
- Why Vehicle Safety Should Be Your Family’s Priority
- I Don’t Have Time for Car Maintenance
- Why Your Windshield Matters
- Every Kid Needs a Good Car Seat
- How to Keep Tyres and Brakes Healthy
- Modern Safety Features That Save Lives
Why Vehicle Safety Should Be Your Family’s Priority
Let’s start with the obvious…
When you have kids, your vehicle is going to take a beating.
Between carpools, grocery shopping trips and weekend road trips… there’s a reason most family cars look like they’ve been through war by the time kids leave for college.
But here’s what most parents get wrong…
They wait until something breaks before scheduling maintenance.
Sure, you know your car needs regular oil changes. But how about that crack in your windshield? Or those weird vibrations when you brake? Do you know why your tyres are squealing?
Investing time and money into vehicle maintenance is one of the best ways to protect your family on the road. And it starts with the roof.
I Don’t Have Time for Car Maintenance
Most busy parents barely have time to do oil changes between games, recitals and play-dates.
But your car suffers when you neglect it. Periodically taking care of your vehicle doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Ignoring windshield chips, brake grinds and tire wear will result in large repair bills and huge safety concerns.
Between diapers and doctor visits… who has time for car maintenance?
That’s what most busy parents think. But your vehicle can’t feed, clothe or educate your kids. If you don’t make time for maintenance… someone else will when your car breaks down.
When it comes to vehicle safety, a little maintenance can go a long way.
So, what are you waiting for?
Why Your Windshield Matters
Ok, so you’re going to schedule that maintenance appointment. But where do you start?
Here’s one of the most important vehicle safety tips for any parent…
Your windshield is your window into safety.
Broken glass puts everyone in your vehicle at risk. Whether you realize it or not, your windshield plays a huge role in your vehicle’s structural integrity. And that matters more than most parents think.
Children are more vulnerable than adults in cars. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, here are some scary statistics:
- Children under 12 years old are killed in crashes at nearly three times the rate of adults aged 25-79.
- In crashes where children were killed, 38% were completely unrestrained.
- In 2020, 225 child passengers were killed in crashes involving a tired driver.
Convinced yet that cracked windshields are serious safety issues?
But that’s not even the worst of it.
If your windshield is cracked or chipped, airbag systems may not deploy like they’re supposed to. Injury, or worse, becomes much more likely if an airbag blows through broken glass and into your child’s body.
Preventing every possible injury isn’t easy. But it all starts with the windshield. Many families delay cracked windshield repair because they assume it’s going to be expensive. But understanding the cost to fix a windshield often reveals it’s far more affordable than expected.
Every Kid Needs a Good Car Seat
Sure, everyone needs a good car seat. But having children means understanding how they work and keeping them properly maintained.
Investing in high-quality car seats for your children is just as important as regular maintenance and vehicle safety features. While every family’s needs are different, here are some things you can do TODAY to protect your little ones on the road:
- Make sure any child in your vehicle is properly restrained at all times.
- Rear-facing is best. Keep kids in rear-facing seats as long as possible.
- Always follow instructions. Use the proper seat based on height, weight, and age guidelines.
- Inspect your seats. Are they installed correctly? Does the seat belt or connector fit snuggly? Seek professional installation support if you’re not sure.
- Replace old seats. Remember, used car seats are just that… USED. If you get a hand-me-down be sure to inspect it for previous damage. When in doubt, buy new.
Not sure if your seats are up to par? Visit Safercar.gov’s car seat checklist.
Knowledge is power. Keep your family safe on the road by understanding how car seats work and how to maintain them.
How to Keep Tyres and Brakes Healthy
Changing brake pads and rotors is not cheap.
But that doesn’t mean you can neglect them forever.
Brakes and tyres are some of the most important elements of vehicle maintenance. They keep you connected to the road and allow you to stop when children suddenly dart into traffic. You should know:
- When making a scheduled maintenance appointment, ask about the condition of your brakes and tyres.
- Replace brake pads when they show signs of wear. A good rule of thumb is to replace pads once they reach 1/4 inch of remaining pad. Brake pads are meant to be replaced. If yours aren’t wearing evenly, get them checked by a professional.
- Have tyres rotated and inspected regularly. Not only will this help them wear evenly, but your technician can spot potential problems before they leave you stranded.
- Replace old tyres. Trust your technician on this one. Just because your tyres look OK doesn’t mean they are. Purchase a tread depth gauge and inspect them yourself.
When in doubt, go see a professional.
Modern Safety Features That Save Lives
You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating.
Modern cars are safer than ever.
Humans make mistakes. Children are unpredictable. Driving isn’t always safe, but new vehicles are loaded with features that help prevent collisions and reduce the chance of injury.
Safe Roads USA compiled a great list of life-saving safety features that’s worth sharing. From sunroofs to backup cameras, cars have come a long way since your parent’s garage-band sedan.
Here are a few of the best.
- Automatic Emergency Braking: Systems like AEB apply the brakes for you when an imminent collision is detected. They can reduce speeding tickets and give you time to avoid crashes.
- Blind Spot Warning Systems: These warning systems alert you when vehicles hide in your blind spot. They can kick your headlights on, flash warning lights or even sound an alarm.
- Backup Cameras: Last but certainly not least, backup cameras are life-saving tools. Kids love running into the backyard to get the ball. Not caring if the car behind you is stopped too.
The moral of the story…
Driving isn’t always safe. But by knowing your vehicle safety priorities, you can drastically reduce the risk of tragedy on the road.
Wrapping things up
Children are vulnerable in vehicles. It’s every parent’s job to protect them from harm.
Not every accident can be prevented. But you can prepare for the unexpected by knowing vehicle safety priorities.
Keep your car well-maintained and your family safe on the road. Your kids will thank you later.
What are you waiting for? Get safe today.
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