Parents heading on road trips with their kids during summer holidays are urged to take extra precautions to help keep everyone safe and avoid fines. Motoring experts are reminding parents of common driving issues when travelling with children.
As families prepare for the summer holidays, the team at Quotezone has compiled a safety checklist for parents planning road trips.
Some of the most common safety issues involve not using the car seat correctly and not fitting it securely.
Using a car seat or seat belt appropriate for the child’s age, height, and weight is essential, as is ensuring it is appropriately installed and compatible with the vehicle. If the requirements aren’t up to scratch, parents could be hit with a fine of up to £500 and points on their licence.
Before heading on a road trip, it’s also crucial to determine whether or not drivers are too tired. Driving in a fatigued state can hamper drivers’ abilities to concentrate, react, and navigate the roads.
If too tired, drivers must seek alternative transport, invite other drivers or delay the trip.
Other common issues include leaving loose items in the car, multitasking behind the wheel and forgetting to turn on the child lock.
Quotezone.co.uk car and travel insurance expert Catherine Boyd said: “The summer holidays can be particularly stressful for parents, heading off on holidays, juggling childcare and trying to keep children entertained with various road trips.
“Our list of safety tips will hopefully be a helpful reminder of critical checks that must be done within the car before setting off on the next adventure.
“Children can also grow a lot over the holidays, so it’s essential to double-check that the safety measures in the car are still appropriate for the child’s age, weight and height – cleaning and refitting them regularly to ensure they are working correctly.
“Quite a dangerous example, which maybe isn’t as commonly known, is the effect of keeping loose items in the car’s body. During a sudden manoeuvre or incident on the road, these items can become projectiles, injuring passengers, so keeping bottles of water or electronic devices stored safely in specific holders will help reduce the risk of issues.”
Here Are Quotezone.co.uk’s Top Safety Tips When Driving With Children:
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Car Seat Double-Check
The Highway Code states that children must be in car seats until they reach the age of 12 or are at least 135 centimetres tall. For babies younger than 15 months, placing them in a rear-facing car seat is essential, as this is the safest position for them. It’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s manual for installation or seek professional assistance and carry out regular checks to ensure the seat is not loose.
- Driving when tired
Fatigue significantly slows reaction times and impairs judgement, making it very dangerous to get behind the wheel if you haven’t had enough rest. If you’re too tired to drive, it’s a difficult but important decision to make—opting instead for public transport or inviting other drivers on the trip.
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Loose Items
Loose items such as toys, water bottles, tablets, or phones should be secured in the car to prevent severe injuries during a sudden stop or collision. At 30 mph, loose items can increase their weight by up to 40 times. Store loose items in specialist holders or use the boot or glovebox compartments. Place phones in a mount, and use drink holders for any beverages.
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Phones
It’s illegal to hold and use a phone while driving. If you need to make calls, you need the appropriate hands-free equipment. If not required, storing your phone in the boot is sensible to avoid temptation.
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Child Locks
It is important to always activate the child lock when driving with children in the car. Children love to press buttons and might accidentally open the car door while the vehicle is moving. The child lock also gives the driver time to open the door when it is safe to do so, avoiding issues when parking on busy roads or car parks. Failing to activate the child lock can be considered careless driving and may lead to fines and points on your driver’s licence.
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Multitasking
Children’s behaviour in the car can sometimes be demanding, it’s important to try and remain calm and wait for a safe spot to pull over and address the children’s needs or any issues.
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