Basically, when driving with a child on board, you definitely would be careful with your speed level and pay attention to your instincts. Of course, the child passenger must be straddled in a seatbelt, and depending on the age, you may need to put the child in a special toddler car seat.
That aside, there are also specific rules for driving with child passengers, which is expected that you adhere to; it’s all for the safety of the little ones onboard, and also you, the driver. However, while all these count for preventive measures, the type of car you drive also plays a crucial role, as some vehicle models are known to be prone to mechanical faults – coming from the manufacturer’s end.
How do you stay safe on the road and protect your child who is on board with you? This article takes a deep dive into insights that would be of great use to you.
Car Accident Statistics You Must Know
So far this year, 2024, some car brands have been rated to produce vehicles that are involved in more accident records throughout the year. According to reports by SmartFinancial, these brands had the highest car model accident rates so far in 2024: Tesla (23.54%), Ram (22.76%), Subaru (20.9%), Mazda (18.55%), and Lexus (18.35%).
On the other hand, brands whose vehicles got involved in more fatal accidents, leading to the death of occupants, include: the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 (205), Dodge Challenger 2WD (154), Hyundai Accent (152), Chevrolet Spark (151), and Kia Rio sedan (122).
These statistics are not to scare you from patronizing these brands, but to let you know where to channel your search for a new car purchase. It is also important to note that most of these accidents were caused due to drivers’ negligence in adhering to safety rules and speed limits.
That said, it is not entirely on the car brands – the drivers play a crucial role, too. When driving with kid passengers, you should reduce your speeds even below the speed limits shown on the roads; your driving pattern plays a huge role in ensuring your safety and that of your children when driving.
Choosing a Safer Family Car
As someone who drives often with kids in the car, what you need is a roomy family car with advanced safety systems. But then, literally, all new cars built today are equipped with safety systems and kid-friendly features. However, you may get confused in choice, as there are quite a plethora of family car models to choose from.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all vehicles are built equally when it comes to safety features, and there are statistics that show which brand and car models are more reliable and safer to own. You may conceive the notion that luxury cars or trucks like the Ford F series are a safer option, but a 2023 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that luxury vehicles and larger trucks, despite their big sizes and high price tags, are not always the safest option.
Nevertheless, brands like Lexus score up to 9.22/10 in general safety reports (according to USNews Rating), which is reasonably high. Other notable brands with high-reliability scores include Ford, Kia, Cadillac, and Audi – talking of brands that make super comfortable family cars.
Some other brands to consider when buying a new family car include Subaru, Genesis, Volvo, Hyundai, Infiniti, and BMW; these brands all score above 9.50/10 in the USNews safety score. Talking of BMWs, they are one hell of a ride most Europeans desire so much, built with solid components and parts – as AUTODOC says about the bumper.
If you still want to look around, brands like Mazda and Acura make some really cool cars for everyday driving – equipped with the finest driver-assist technologies you can imagine. Not to ignore Honda and Nissan, too. These aforementioned brands typically manufacture vehicles that are perceived to be safer for both adult and child passengers.
Additional Tips for Driving with Kids
- Reduce your speed, even if the road looks much freer.
- Always make sure your child is straddled in a seatbelt, if the kid on being put in a child’s car seat, fasten it properly.
- Avoid any form of distraction and remain conscious of your driving
- Pay attention to any driving anomaly you may notice