If you are a parent in Louisiana, you are probably aware of how distracting it can be to drive with your kids in the car. Whether you have a young infant or unruly teenagers, you are at a higher risk of getting into an accident than drivers who are not driving with young ones. The next time you get in the car, there are certain things you can do to improve safety of you and others on the road.
According to Parents, moms and dads make a lot of mistakes when driving, and this can lead to risky behavior. Many are short on sleep, and this fatigue can cause slowed reaction times and even brief periods of sleep while behind the wheel. As a parent, you deal with more distractions than other drivers do. Whether the baby is crying, someone dropped a toy on the floor or a child asks for a snack, taking the eyes off the road for even a little bit can be disastrous.
Children’s Hospital Colorado discusses some tips for driving, especially when kids are misbehaving. When kids are busy and concentrating on something else, they are less likely to bother you or complain. Play a game, let them watch a video in the back seat or play an audio book. Try to feed your children before getting in the car. This not only prevents them from asking for food, but it also puts them in a better mood.
Set rules and inform them of the consequences if they do not follow them. If they drop something, do not get it until you can safely pull over and stop.
If you get to the point where your frustration takes over, know you are not alone. Do what you can to calm down, whether it is listening to music, counting to ten or pulling over and taking deep breaths.