How to Drive Safely on a Road Trip with Your Kids

October 07, 2023

 

There are many reasons to love road trips. When you hit the road, you escape from the mundane and free yourself to make small, interesting discoveries, like curious little towns and sumptuous pit-stops with local delicacies. Road trips are also an excellent way to spend quality time with whoever you travel with. Take your kids on a cross-country journey, and you’ll have ample opportunities to share unforgettable experiences and happy, lighthearted chats.


However, keep in mind that bringing your kids on a road trip is different from travelling with friends. Your child can get restless if they’re cooped up in a car for hours on end. This, on top of the usual travel fatigue, is what you’ll have to plan around when trying to get to your destination without any mishaps. To help with that, read on to find out how to drive safely on a road trip with your kids.

Inspect your car

The first thing you should examine before going on a road trip with your kids is your vehicle’s security. Aside from conducting regular safety checks, like ensuring your tires and headlights are intact, you’ll want to evaluate your car’s child safety functions. For example, you’ll want to see if the child locks work, if any child restraints are correctly installed, and if there are loose objects stored in the glove compartment. Ultimately, your goal is to make your car child-proof before you start your journey.

Wear sunglasses

 

 

Keeping your family safe during road trips means having your eyes peeled on the road to prevent any accidents. This is easier said than done, however. Too much exposure to UV light can cause your eyes to water. Additionally, sun glare bouncing off reflective surfaces like windows or shiny car exteriors can blind you temporarily.


You need to take precautions for your eyesight to safeguard your children on your road trip, and the best way to do that is to wear high-quality sunglasses that can block UV light and cut out glare. Don’t worry about finding shades with these specifications—they’re widely available online, where you can choose from top-notch brands like Ray-Ban and Tommy Jeans. Reputable sites like GlassesDirect also allow you to add your prescription to any sunglasses frame. If you wear glasses, you’ll definitely need this feature—according to YorkshireLive, drivers with poor vision increase the risk of accidents. You’ll want to ensure your eyesight is sharp and clear to protect your family.

Keep your kids entertained

Even the most patient child will have trouble sitting still on an hours-long journey. Not only can this be aggravating—it’s also potentially dangerous if your kid has a tendency to fuss or flail when they’re bored, thus distracting you from the road. You’ll need to find a way to keep them settled throughout the ride.


The obvious answer, of course, is screen time. You can use your mobile device’s endless trove of games and films to soothe your kids. However, that solution has serious pitfalls. It can negatively alter your children’s sleeping patterns during the holiday, increasing their anxiety, or cause fluctuating vision, eye strain, and headaches, as well as neck, shoulder and back pain. One study even found that too much screen time actively lowers a child's wellbeing. Instead, consider investing in one of our activity trays. Your kids can use them to engage with tactile toys, doodle and do activity sheets, and keep serenely quiet while you drive in peace.

Plan rest stops

You must allow yourself to rest and re-energise to remain alert during your journey. Your children will also appreciate the chance to stretch their legs. The best places to do that on a road trip are motorway service areas. These locations are guaranteed to grant you 2 hours of free parking, free toilets and baby-changing facilities, petrol and diesel fuel, hot food, and drinks on the premises. You and your family will have a chance to refresh yourselves before continuing on your adventure.


Road trips are a wonderful way to bond with your children. Remember the tips above to safely get your kids from point A to point B.

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