This is a collaborative post
Whether you’re a new driver or you’ve been on the roads for years, there’s no better time to start putting your family’s safety first.
The roads in the UK pose a dangerous landscape for everyday drivers, with a plethora of hazards ranging from unstable road surfaces to the actions of other drivers. No matter your plans, here are our top tips to help you keep your family as safe as possible.
- Do your research.
If you’re in the process of choosing a new car for your family, doing some research could be the most integral step in ensuring a safe and trouble-free driving experience.
New vehicles are extensively tested before being awarded a Euro NCAP rating, which indicates its safety standards for drivers, passengers and other road users. Highly rated family cars typically feature ISOFIX child seat attachment points, impact detection technologies, and passenger airbags.
Aside from your motor, you should learn all the relevant rules of the road, especially if you’re an inner-city driver. Sticking to the speed limit in school zones, for example, could save lives.
- Keep your vehicle covered.
Being a motorist is all about knowing how to expect the unexpected.
For families, choosing the right car insurance is essential for providing complete peace of mind. Securing the right level of cover means unfortunate events and disaster or losing your car. Comprehensive cover protects drivers against third-party damage, plus accidental damage, fire, and theft.
Insurance means you’re covered financially if things go wrong, which is an important safety net to have when you’re following a family budget.
- Keep your car maintained.
Part of the responsibility as a vehicle owner is taking time and effort to look after your car. That includes regular servicing, making sure that your vehicle is thoroughly inspected by a mechanic before problems arise.
This preventative maintenance keeps your vehicle in mechanically sound condition, increasing the chances of smooth and unproblematic miles for every family adventure. Servicing also ensures that critical systems like your air-conditioning function as they should. This could be key to keeping the children comfortable on a hot day.
With better condition also comes increased value, helping you to make the most of your investment when the time comes to sell the car.
- Drive responsibly.
Safe driving shouldn’t be limited to parents with children, but it’s certainly a necessity for keeping younger and more impressionable passengers safe.
Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, the way you drive shapes some of their most formative memories of time spent with you. You should try to set a good example by following the speed limits, being respectful towards other road users, and never taking unnecessary risks.
Staying safe on the roads encompasses aspects of our physical and emotional well-being, so it’s important to think about the bigger picture. Protecting yourself and your vehicle promotes the safety of other around you.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post