Here are our top safety tips for driving with ”vulnerable” passengers
Driving can be at times a little nerve wrecking- whether you are driving a furry friend to the vet, taking your pregnant wife to the hospital or driving with a baby! Here are some tips on how to cope with these extra special passengers and reach your destination safely.
1. Always insist that pregnant passengers wear seat belts, even if they find them uncomfortable, says Arrive Alive’s Johan Jonck. ‘There’s no evidence that safety belts increase the risk of injury to a pregnant woman’s baby. There’s a better chance of the baby surviving an accident if she wears one,’ he says. Alicia Rich, CEO of Women n’ Wheels Advanced Driving, says the seat belt should be positioned with the lower strap below, not over, her bump. Also, she should sit on the back seat if your car has airbags. ‘An airbag is deployed at 370km/h and she must be sufficiently away from it because it could endanger her child,’ Rich says. (Also see this article on tips for pregnant drivers).
2. A child must always be strapped into a car seat or be on the back seat with their seat belt on, says Rich. ‘Give them some toys to play with and always make sure they’re strapped in so they can’t climb over to the front and distract you,’ she says.
3. When an injured person is lying on the back seat, make sure you fasten their seat belt by tucking it underneath them and fastening it. However, it’s always safer to call an ambulance or paramedics. ‘The chances of you injuring the person further are quite high. Also, you’ll have to stick to the speed limit unless you can get a police escort,’ says Rich.
4. Travelling with pets is a potential hazard for both the animal and owner. ‘Pets can cause distractions for the driver and sudden stops could cause severe injury to the pet,’ says Jonck. Pets, especially dogs, must also be in the back seat at all times. ‘It’s a good idea to get a safety net to keep them at the back. Also try to keep them off the back board. It’s very dangerous in the event of an accident, as when you hit the brakes the animal will be travelling at the same speed as the car was and will go through the windscreen. Also, it’s a good idea to display a ‘dog on board’ sticker if your dog is a frequent passenger. This is so that people know to look for Fido if you’re involved in an accident.’
Next time you are driving with ”vulnerable passengers” keep these safety tips in mind and reach your final destination without any fuss or stress!
(Source: Arrive Alive’s Johan Jonck and Alicia Rich, CEO of Women n’ Wheels Advanced Driving)