Driving isn’t just about you and your safety. Whether it’s your kids, friends, family, or pet, keeping the passengers in your vehicle safe is of utmost importance when you’re driving.
After all, passengers are putting their trust (and lives) in your hands by riding with you and you should respect them by keeping their safety in mind. In this post, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about car rules for passenger safety. Read on to find out more!
Is The Driver Responsible for Passengers?
The short answer is yes. Drivers are responsible for the passengers in their vehicles. That means ensuring that they are behaving safely by remaining calm, wearing their seatbelts, and is properly situated in the vehicle.
Is it Safer to Be a Driver or Passenger?
There is no right answer here. When people are in a vehicle together, they are equally at risk. That being said, it should be noted that driving with passengers in the car tends to increase the chance of injury. When there are more passengers in a vehicle, the driver is more likely to be distracted. So, you should keep this in mind the next time you’re driving with passengers in your car and do what you can to stay focused on the road.
Where is the Safest Place to Sit in A Car?
The safest spot in most cars is the back seat. More specifically, the middle back seat tends to be the safest spot in a car. This is because the middle back seat is the farthest from all windows and, therefore, any damage. The space is also far from passenger airbags, which might cause injury upon impact. But remember, any seat in a car is only going to be safe if the person in that seat is wearing a seatbelt.
Car Rules for Passenger Safety
- Children should always sit in the back seat. It’s a well-known rule for a reason. If you have children, put them in the back seat where they will be safest.
- Limit the number of teen passengers. Too many teenagers in a car can cause distractions for the driver, whether it’s another teen or an adult. Minimize distractions by reducing the number of chatty teens riding in your vehicle.
- Keep passengers from distracting the driver. From someone who wants you to look at something, to let a cat run free in the back seat, to fighting children, there are several ways that passengers can distract a driver and put themselves in danger. To drive safer, minimize these distractions by controlling your passengers to the best of your ability.
- Make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt. Before you even start your car, you should check that all of your passengers (including yourself!) are buckled up and ready to go.
- Don’t tailgate. Driving too closely to another driver puts you and your passengers at risk. Remember to stay calm and keep your cool while driving. After all, you are responsible for your passengers’ wellbeing when you’re the one at the wheel.
Sign the Pledge to Stay Safe Today
At Drive Friendly AZ, our goal is to help Mesa, Gilbert, and East Valley drivers gain knowledge about safe driving behavior. If you’ve enjoyed reading about our car rules for passenger safety and want to commit to safe driving practices, sign our pledge today. You’ll be joining other people who want to drive friendly and arrive safely.
More reading to help you Drive Friendly and Arrive Safely on your next road trip:
Arriving Safely: Your Car Safety Checklist
The No-Zone: When Trucks Can’t See You
Obeying The Speed Limit (Slow Kills As Much As Fast Does)
5 Tips for Driving Defensively