When Your Kids Get Rowdy, How You Can Avoid A New Haven Auto Accident

The importance of avoiding distractions while driving cannot be understated and when you do become distracted your risk of getting into a New Haven auto accident will increase. When we think about distractions in the car we often think about things like cell phones or eating or drinking while driving that could lead to us taking our attention off the road and putting us in risky situations. These things are most certainly challenging to deal with and they are distraction that should be avoided at all costs.

There is another distraction that can put parents, especially, at grave risk and that is KIDS. Any time a parent or a grandparent is driving with kids in the backseat they can become rowdy and unruly and they often require discipline. However, as the driver, you really should not take your eyes off the road in front of you to account for the child’s behavior. How can you address the behavior and prevent the distraction while also trying to get to your destination on time?

The first thing you will want to do is make sure you talk to your kids before you even head out on the ride. You will want to set some expectations for behaviors in the car and the importance of sticking to the expectations. Share with your kids how important it is that you are able to focus on the road ahead without having to address fighting or rowdy behavior and if they can’t reduce their levels of noise how distracting that will be to you as the driver. Kids will understand this in the moment, but may need to be reminded of these expectations during the course of the car ride.

The good news is that you can preemptive with your kids and do certain things that will keep them engaged while you’re driving and limit their boredom. Boredom is one of the key elements to bad behavior when a child is acting up in the car. You can take control of that by doing any one of our all of the things listed below.

1.) Engage your child in meaningful conversation. No it is not suggested that you ask your child about fiscal policy or the state of the world, but you can engage them on their level. Ask them about the show that they are currently watching, talk to them about friends at school or a sport they love, chat with them about their favorite singer or toy. Keeping a child’s mind active and engaged during a car ride can keep them from needing to express themselves in a somewhat destructive way.

2.) Sing they favorite songs. First you will want to play their favorite songs and then when they start singing along, you can do the same thing. While these may not be YOUR favorite songs, they are likely meaningful to your kids and you participating in a sing-a-long with them will get them engaged in the songs even further and allow you to keep their rowdiness at bay while you’re driving.

3.) Take breaks. Kids, especially younger kids, can’t drive for long periods of time without getting out and going to the bathroom or stretching their legs. If you are traveling a long distance you may want to add these stops to your trip so it doesn’t throw your timing off and you are able to keep your schedule while also allowing your child the time to regroup before getting back in the car.

4.) Use technology sparingly, but time it well. If you have a phone or a tablet that you would allow your child to use, you may want to use it at strategic times along your trip. If you have sung all their favorite songs and exhausted your library of engaging topics to talk about, you might want to give yourself a break and also allow them a little downtime with their favorite show or game on your screen. This should not replace the items above, but rather supplement them.

Driving long distances can leave anyone of any age antsy and ready to get out of the car, but if you have a child with you they can become rowdy and the distraction that provides to you could lead you to a New Haven auto accident which I something that you should do every thing in your power to avoid. Taking the time to think through how you will engage children that are with you and make sure they are given all of the tools they need to have a successful trip is the best thing you can do to make sure you avoid any incidents due to lack of preparation.

If an accident does occur you may need to speak with an attorney. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.