If you’ve got children going back to school, then it’s worth putting in a little bit of time to ensure that your car is fit for the school run. By doing this, you could end up avoiding the considerable stress of a breakdown on an early morning – and you could end up making your family safer, while saving money at the same time.
Check Vehicle Basics
You should have a basic understanding of your vehicle, and the components that are designed to be inspected and replaced by the driver. This means looking at your tyres, brakes, lights, and wipers, and being able to tell when a replacement is necessary. You should also be able to measure your fluid levels, and top them up where appropriate. This means engine oil, coolant, and screenwash.The right car insurance for your vehicle is a legal requirement – so make sure that your policy is in date, and reflects the vehicle as it currently is. If you’ve made alterations to the car, even if they’re just cosmetic, then it’s a good idea to notify your insurer.
Secure Seatbelts and Car Seats
All of the seatbelts in your car will need to be fully functional. This is a little bit trickier when you’re transporting children, as you’ll need to ensure that your kids are sitting on the right kind of booster, and that it is suitably attached to the vehicle.
Under UK law, most children will need to use a booster seat until they’re either 12 years old or 135cm tall – whichever comes first. Some seats are designed to be attached via the seat belt; others can be attached to ISOFIX anchor points. Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat if there’s an airbag in the front.
Plan Routes
There are other habits you can adopt that will make mornings that little bit less stressful. You can set out a little bit earlier to avoid the morning rush. Or, you can think about taking different routes, carpooling with other local parents, or even walking or cycling, instead.
If you do decide to take a different route, then make sure that you’ve planned it in advance – and that you set off a little earlier so that you can cope with unexpected surprises.
Minimise Distractions
Distracted driving is a major problem on UK roads. But it’s one that you can guard against with a few precautions. Make sure that you aren’t using your phone while driving. Set up your navigation system in advance, and pull over to the side of the road if you need to make adjustments.
When children are being noisy, they can also be a source of distraction. While it might be impossible to eliminate this problem, you can at least let the kids know exactly why you’re telling them to be quiet.
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