The highways will be crowded this holiday season with drivers making their way to holiday feasts, shopping malls and family visits. If you're planning a trip with children, here are four tips to make the drive safe and enjoyable:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends children sit in the back seat and be buckled-up properly.
• Infants (under 20 lbs.) should be in rear-facing convertible seats with harness straps at or below shoulder level.
• Toddlers (20-40 lbs.) should be in forward-facing convertible seats with harness straps at or above shoulders.
• Young children (more than 40 lbs.) should use a forward-facing, belt positioning. booster seat with the lap belt fitting low and tight across the
lap/upper thigh area and shoulder belt snug across the chest and shoulder.
- One of the best ways to keep your family safe is to stay awake during your trip. The National Sleep Foundation and the AAA Foundation recommend the following:
• Get a good night's sleep before your trip – at least 8 hours for adults and 8.5 to 9.25 hours for teens.
• Make sure at least one passenger is awake to talk to the driver.
• Avoid medications that can impede performance.
• Recognize signs of fatigue: lane drifting, hitting rumble strips, repeated yawning, tailgating, difficulty focusing.
• Schedule stops every two hours or 100 miles.
- Bring along toys, books and video games to keep the kids busy. If you're planning a long drive, be prepared for frequent bathroom/food stops.
- If your child gets car sick, check with your doctor about possible medications to bring on your trip. There are other things you can also do, such as driving at a constant speed, cracking a window, and feeding children light snacks along the way to prevent the need for a heavy meal.
