How Parents Can Stay Safe on the Road Without Spending a Fortune

​Becoming a parent comes with lots of joy and lots of worries. Money, safety, and sleep are just a few of the worries that become part of your life as a parent. That’s why Prince Hill Insurance Agency presents these budget-friendly driving tips so you can put your energy into being cautious, rather than focusing on worry. 

Make Sure You’re Covered
 
The last thing you want to think about is the possibility of being in an accident, but it’s important to realize that prevention and protection are your best lines of defense. That includes having the right auto insurance coverage. When you’re on a budget, having good coverage may seem like more than you can afford, but with some research, you can find a reliable insurance provider that offers plans to fit any budget.
 
Top-rated companies like Geico and Allstate operate all over the country, so you can take advantage of great service and premiums no matter where you live. The reality is that the risk of not having full coverage can do more damage to your budget than trying to get by with less.
 
Don’t Drive When Stressed
 
Parenting is hard work, and sometimes that work comes with a fair amount of stress. Being stressed out when you’re at home isn’t ideal, of course, but at least you can use techniques to keep these feelings under control. However, when you’re being the wheel of your car, the stress can have an effect on your ability to pay attention to the road — especially when your little one is in the car seat. You can’t always help when you need to drive, but you can use techniques that can keep stress at manageable levels. Learn to identify trigger points, practice deep breathing techniques, and try your best to stop stress thought trains in their tracks. This way, you can safely drive your car without letting stress take your attention away from the road.
 
Protect Your Car
 
One of the biggest keys to reducing unexpected costs is proper maintenance. Keeping your car protected from damage, theft and weather in a garage is the best thing you can do for it. If you don’t have a garage on your house, not only will your car benefit, but your home value will too since garages are one of the most popular amenities that home buyers look for.
 
Maintenance goes beyond just storage, though. Make sure you know your vehicle’s regular maintenance schedule and keep a checklist of the most important minor maintenance needs, including changing out old windshield wipers and checking your tires’ air pressure. If you’re a newer driver or just less familiar with vehicle maintenance, this is the perfect time to review maintenance basics from sites like SafeMotorist.com so you know what upkeep your vehicle needs.
 
Make Smart (And Safe) Use of Technology
 
For today’s parents, it’s probably hard to imagine what you would do without your smartphone or tablet. With apps for everything from playing lullabies to tracking your little one’s health, tech devices make parenting easier and safer. Of course, it’s never safe to text or use your phone to make calls while driving. However, according to Science Daily, research has shown that using your phone in the car hands-free is safer than handheld use.
 
One of the best things about newer smartphones is that they have more features for safer use in vehicles. For example, the Android Auto app locks your phone when you’re driving, plus it allows you to make calls or play music hands-free. If you’re an iPhone user, the new iPhone has a similar feature, a mode called Do Not Disturb While Driving that limits distractions by disabling notifications.
 
These safety features are a game-changer for smartphone use on the go because, let’s face it, having your smartphone in the car is incredibly helpful. From calming a crying little one with soothing sounds to GPS and emergency features for safety, your smartphone can be a tool that helps in amazing ways, just as long as you use it safely.
 
For so many of us, being behind the wheel -- and even glancing at our phones in the car –  becomes like second nature. But just because it’s something we all do without even thinking doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve your attention. New parents shouldn’t dwell on worry, but we should all take the time to make sure we’re staying as safe as possible on the road.
 
Prince Hill Insurance Agency takes great pride in the quality of service we provide for our customers. Whether our clients need help filing a claim, getting a quote, or just understanding their insurance coverage we'll always be there ready to help. Call 860-779-1503.

Photo credit: Unsplash

Natalie Jones

Natalie Jones runs the website Homeownerbliss! with her husband Jason. They decided to start the website after being in their first home for a few months, wanting to offer help to any first time home owners, and any home owners in general. They say, "If you’d like information on homeownership, DIY projects, or ideas on how to make a house a home, please drop us a line!"

HOMEOWNERBLISS EMAIL

HOMEOWNERBLISS.INFO Website

Archives

January 2022
July 2020
July 2019
April 2019