Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
If you have college-aged children, they may be interested in a fall road trip before college classes begin. Whether your child is driving across Florida or across the country, it can be a scary prospect for parents. How can you help them avoid car accidents and truck crashes in Hollywood and wherever they travel? How can you keep them safe?
As a parent, there are a few things you can do:
1) Make sure your teen has the tools needed for a road trip.
Your teen should have a roadside kit, a spare tire, a first aid kit, a working cell phone, additional charges, and a car in good condition. You may want to ensure your child’s car is looked over by a mechanic before they depart. A car in good physical condition can reduce the risk of traffic collisions because it is more likely to handle correctly.
2) Go over the route together.
Plan your route with your child, so you know where they are headed and take the time to look into traffic rules in different states if your child will be crossing state lines. Review driving conditions and considerations for the route and map out places to stop for a rest or places to take breaks in driving. Check construction, road work, and weather reports and find alternative routes if they may be needed.
3) Keep deadlines and destinations loose.
If your child is trying to get to a specific destination by a specific date, they may be more likely to speed if detours or delays cause them to fall behind. Delays can also make staying up late or driving for long stretches more attractive. If your child wants to get to a specific event, encourage them to leave earlier than they need to so there’s no rush.
4) Limit distractions.
Try to avoid calling or texting your child while they are on the road, as this can be distracting for them. Try to wait until the time they would have pulled into a hotel for the night or wait until they contact you. Set rules about distractions. For example, ask that your child set their phone to airplane mode while driving and wait until they are pulled over to check it.
One of the biggest distractions on the road can be other passengers and young drivers often want their first road trip to be with their friends. Review the risk of distraction-free driving with your child and talk about ways they can limit distractions in the car.
5) Make sure your child is rested on the road.
Discuss when and where they will stop for the night and encourage them to get at least eight hours of sleep the night before their road trip and every night they are driving.
6) Review personal safety. Traffic accidents are not the only danger on the road. Go over safety issues your child may encounter on the road and discuss the importance of taking well-traveled routes and avoiding driving at night.
If your child or you have been injured through someone’s negligence, contact Flaxman Law Group to speak to a truck accident attorney. You can contact us or call us at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for your free initial consultation.