Nobody hits the road with the intention of putting themselves, or their families, in danger. That would be illogical. Yet, without realizing it, many of us do just that each time we head out. Failure to adhere to safety standards leaves us, and our passengers, at risk.
Many drivers lure themselves into a false sense of security. If you trust your driving, it’s okay to take a few risks, right? Definitely not, especially when you consider that other drivers are the primary risk on the road. Your driving may be fantastic, but you can’t account for the drivers you’ll come up against. And, in that instance, those careless risks could cost you your life. What’s more, if you survive with significant injuries, the attorney for your car accident would have a much tougher time getting you a decent settlement. All because you cut a few corners. To make sure you don’t find yourself in that position, consider these safety standards you can’t afford to skip.
Seatbelt safety
Seat belts should be your first priority. That means buckling up yourself and also checking your passengers do the same. Though seat belt safety has increased dramatically in recent years, 1 in 7 people still fails to buckle up. What’s more, a crash without a seat belt increases the risk of death by 45%. All because ‘you couldn’t be bothered,’ or you were ‘just popping down the road.’ Don’t do it to yourself. Buckle up for even the shortest journeys to ensure an accident doesn’t have fatal consequences. On top of which, it’s crucial to maintain the condition of your seat belts. After all, it’s no use buckling up with broken belts. Get these checked every six months or so to ensure they’re performing as they should.
Secure the kids
Of course, young passengers aren’t capable of taking care of their safety. On top of which, seat belts will be too loose on small children. So, it’s down to you to find the most secure and reliable car seat for your kiddie-winks It’s also down to you to know how to operate the thing. That means doing your research, and actually reading the manual. One thing’s sure; you would never forgive yourself if something happened because you thought you knew best. So, take some time before you head out to play around with this. Make sure you know your seat inside out before taking it on the road.
Stick to the speed limit
An astounding amount of people disregard speed limits if they know they can get away with it. Again, this comes back to feeling overly confident in your driving ability. You may believe that you’re perfectly able to stay safe while driving ten miles over the limit. In truth, though, speeding restrictions are put in place for a reason, and this is a risk you should never take. As well as putting yourself in danger, this could harm other drivers, and leave you on the wrong end of a lawsuit.
Therese has completed the ‘Advanced Child Car Seat Training Course’ at TRL (Transport Research Lab) and is a CPD accredited car seat expert. She blogs about in-car safety, car seats, tips, reviews, giveaways and advice. She’s a mum on a mission to change the law and raise awareness. She is also a breastfeeding advocate and gentle parenting promoter who loves cloth nappies, baby-wearing, BLW and co-sleeping/bed-sharing.