Cars are everywhere, no matter where you live, city, suburb or small town.
Chances are you have daily if not hourly interactions with motor vehicles.
We rely on cars to get us where we need to be going; we depend on them for almost everything.
Cars have become a prevalent aspect of our society, why then has car safety not?
Everyone rides in vehicles, from babies to adults. But at what point do we need to start teaching car safety?
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death of children in the United States.
Cars have become a priority, so let's make car safety for kids just as important.
Teaching your children about car safety may seem like a meaningless task; I mean, it seems obvious what you should and shouldn't do in or around a car.
But let's be honest with kids, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Quick Navigation
Kids Should Learn Safety is About Everyone
We don't generally think about teaching people about driving until they are of age.
Still, not everyone riding in a car is of age to understand and comprehend the power and responsibility that comes with driving a car.
It is not merely about the driver or even those in the car but also about everything around and outside.
Kids Need to Know that Vehicles are Dangerous
Parents, it is essential that you have an open line of communication with your children in and about the vehicle.
Cars are heavy and powerful motor vehicles, and I think we tend to allow that aspect of driving to take the back seat.
Children will not understand the importance of distraction-free driving unless explained and told.
Likewise, children need to understand that a vehicle is nothing to be played with and has immense power behind the wheel.
It is a driver's responsibility to be on defense of other drivers and watch for potential accidents; children are unaware of the amount of outside potential dangers that a driver must be aware of.
It is your responsibility as a parent and a driver to be a safe driver, and you cannot be a safe driver if your passengers do not understand car safety.
Kids Should Understand How to Be Safe Inside Their Vehicles
Teaching children about the inside safety of cars can help a child understand and participate in car safety tips.
Parents should be clear and concrete in their reasoning regarding car seats, explaining that it is safe or that it is the law is one thing, but helping your child to understand why; other drivers on the road, bad weather conditions, and such can help a child understand more thoroughly why they need to wear a seatbelt and be in the proper car seat.
Children are more understanding and compliant when they too can understand the reasoning behind such rules.
If they never understand why the rules are essential, they will never understand why they need to follow them.
By teaching them why you do what you do, you are teaching them to help protect themselves.
Model safe driving, children, do what they see; although you may not be thinking about it for young children, eventually, they may be on the road themselves, and if you wouldn't want your child doing the same thing, you probably shouldn't do it in front of them.
Make buckling in a game, who can buckle in the fastest? Kids love a little completion; that way, they don't forget, and they wouldn't let you forget.
Kids Should Learn that Car Are Dangerous From a Distance
Even if you don't have a car, children still need to learn the importance of car safety.
Living in a city and using public transport does not mean you have no interaction with cars.
It merely means you don't use them. But cars are everywhere, and unless you live in the middle of nowhere, cars are likely going to drive around you.
Children, especially ones that are not commonly familiar with cars, need to be taught their power and danger.
Cars Can Be Dangerous To Children Who are Playing Outside
When playing outside or anywhere near a road, children need to be aware of the drivers around them and the caution you must use.
Teach your child always to look both ways, and then look again. Cars are high-speed, and if they are unaware of the force behind a fast-moving car, they will be unaware that stopping is almost impossible if you're going fast enough.
Just as drivers must be on the defense, pedestrians must also.
Because although pedestrians have the right of way, it wouldn't matter who had the right of way if you die.
A person, especially a child, will never win against a car. The car will always be more powerful and forceful; therefore, teaching them to be in defense and being aware of the surroundings will enable them to protect themselves better.
Conclusion
Never assume a driver has seen you; if anything, assume they have not.
Never stand behind a car with lights on; new cars may have backup cameras, but older ones do not, and if a child is standing in the right place, they could be almost invisible.