Drivers encounter many distractions behind the wheel. This may include using a cell phone, daydreaming and eating. But passengers can sometimes be the most distracting. Consider the following ways to make riding with a passenger safer.
Safety Tips for Riding with Passengers
Don't allow drunk passengers to sit in the front of the vehicle, especially if the person is rambunctious. An impaired person may be a serious distraction and may even directly contribute to an accident if he or she interferes with vehicle controls.
Also, don't ride with more passengers than there are seatbelts. It's important that everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained. Not using a seatbelt can put passengers at great risk in the event of an accident.
You can also use passengers to help you in the vehicle. It's easier to keep your eyes on the road and focused on the task of driving if you ask someone else to navigate for y
ou, for example. You can also ask a passenger to change the station on the radio.
Safety Tips for Teens Riding with Passengers
Passengers can create even more of a hazard for teen drivers. In fact, the more passengers inside the vehicle while a teen is driving, the greater the chance may be of crashing. One reason for this is that teen passengers tend to move around more. As they engage in playful or rambunctious behavior, it causes the driver to get distracted.
To prevent this, teen drivers should establish rules before driving off. Addressing these issues ahead of time can help prevent them from occurring. And if it does take place while driving, the teen should pull the car over and insist the passengers settle down before driving again. Parents should speak with their teen driver about these rules and enforcing them.
The best safety tip is to limit the amount of passengers. Since it's especially dangerous at night on the weekends, this is the worst time to pack the car with passengers. Also, it's important to note that in the state of Texas, teen drivers aren't allowed to have more than one passenger under the age of 21.
Safety Tips for Riding with Child Passengers
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that research has shown that children are four times more distracting in a vehicle than adults. Infants are eight times more distracting. Many times it's a matter of seeking attention, so one way to avoid problems is by keeping the child busy in the backseat. Provide some toys or put on a movie if you're able.
Another issue with child passengers is when they request something. A child might become hungry or thirsty. Make sure anything they might need is within reach and easily accessible. It defeats the purpose of keeping everyone safe and happy if you have to take your hands off the wheel to open a food package, so keep this in mind when packing snacks.
No matter the age, passenger distractions can prevent drivers from focusing on the road. It's important to do what's necessary to prevent distractions, which in turn could avoid a crash.
