Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Safe driving with children

Hi friends,

Hope everyone is doing good and enjoying the May flowers? I know I am, they just make every where look more beautiful and they definitely cheer me up. Hmm-mmm-mmm

So yesterday I had children in my car, *like, I ever drive around without one or more kids in the car* But I am talking about kids other than mine; kids who are not aware of the rules I have in the car about seat belts; kids who have never seen or experienced the panic that attacks me, if they take off their seat belts for whatever reason while I am still driving. Yes, those kids.

So one of them took off her seat belt to get a toy that she had dropped on the floor. Immediately I realized that she was off her car seat trying to get said toy, I panicked. I was transported back 2 years ago.....

It was a Sunday evening, I was home alone with the children. My house-help went for a class and I wanted to go to my mom's. I had no car seats for my kids because they were always carried whenever we went out *error*. The sensible thing was to wait for my help to get back so we would all go together to my mom's and she would carry my 9 month old as we usually did. I was impatient. I was thinking to myself, the drive is less than 5 minutes, my mom lived a street away, what harm could happen? I forgot about  the terror of  okadas. I was almost at my mom's house when one okada came out of nowhere and to prevent hitting him, I stepped on my brakes forgetting that I had a baby not properly strapped at the back. Before I could say jack, my baby was on the floor crying, his older sister was trying to pull him up only to come up with blood on her hands. I dont know how I made it the rest of the way but it wasnt funny. Spent hours at the hospital that evening. Thank God, the cut on his head wasnt deep so he didnt need stitches. The enjoyable evening  I envisioned became one of worry, tears and 'had-i-knowns'. So from that day, I was preaching the gospel of children must be properly strapped  in their car seats.

....Sister Calm deserted me at that moment. As I was telling her to get back on her seat and fix her seat belt, on the same breath I was asking my son why he didnt stop her from taking her seat belt off* wonder what a 3+ could have done* I was also looking for an available spot to park and make sure she gets strapped properly before we continue on our journey. I was so scared that the worst could happen. I was super glad when I dropped them off at home. Only for me to see a small child seated on the center console of a car, playing with another child in the car who was seated properly while the mom was looking for a parking spot at the mall. I just shuddered. I was scared all over again for the mother.Ehn!

 
Source

Children must be restrained in a moving vehicle at all times no matter how short the distance.
Children must ride at the back of car either in an appropriate car seat or booster seat.  Children below 13 must sit at the back.
Everyone must be buckled up on every ride.
And that is my gospel of safe driving with children.

What are your own tips for driving with kids?

15 comments:

  1. ...and this is the gospel of Okeoghene. Thanks for the tips.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks be to Okeoghene.

      I see you Atoskin. you took the words outta my mouth lol

      Delete
    2. Hahahaha@ Ginger and Atoskin

      Delete
  2. Even though i understand your fears and worries as regards seat belts,i'd like to encourage you to try as much as possible to not panic should you find yourself in a situation where a child,whether yours or not,takes off his/her seat belt.The reason is because panic itself is detrimental and could make you do things you wouldn't ordinarily.It sometimes cripples the mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree with you and I am working on the panic. Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  3. Safety is everything. Nice of you to share!

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  4. Okays then. You haven't totally gotten over that experience but i hear you loud and clear ma'am

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  5. I thank God for keeping your child safe o.

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  6. First of all I thank God for keeping your child safe. secondly I am of the school of thoughts that everybody in my car must wear a seat belt. for my daughter she is always strapped in her car seat at all times even though I am just going down the road. all kids under 12 in my car must be at the back and strapped to their seats. Nigerian drivers are very crazy so one must be very careful. www.secretlilies.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Superb post and nice blog, I saw excellent news about Angelina Jolie
    Angelina Jolie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Have I been here before? I feel like I have. I love your writing. Thank you for sharing this o and thank God for keeping your son.

    You just reminded me of Why did I get married? Not sure if it's one or "too" where Janet and her husband's marriage was threatened because she didn't strap the kid in and her husband blamed her (to his friends) for what happened.

    Have you seen it?

    It is well.

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  9. This post is very important because the idea which are you sharing with us, are very necessary to avoid accidents. We can make our drive safe and sound with these simple tips and I will apply your guidelines during my driving. Thanks for sharing this informative blog.
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    ReplyDelete
  10. This is very helpful. Safety should be our number one priority when on the road with children. A car must be equipped with safety features such as seatbelts and airbags. It's just sad that you had to experience the terrifying accident while you were with your baby before realizing the importance of seatbelts. I hope your blog serves as a warning to other mom's out there. Buckle up your kids; it's for their own safety. Tracy @ CraigSwapp.com

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  11. One should take special care when driving with children. Kids who are tall enough to wear an adult seat belt should still ride in the back seat until they turn 13 years old. Ensure child locks are on whenever there is a youngster in the car, to avoid a door being opened on the move by an inquisitive little finger. Austin Texas Approved Online Defensive Driving Training

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for updating such an informative blog. Safety must be the first concern while driving. People must follow all the safety tips while driving in order to save their life and also not to put others life in danger.http://texdds.com/articles/texas-approved-online-defensive-driving-school-College-Station.html

    ReplyDelete