Back to school time is usually a pretty crazy time and can be full of chaos. The most important thing about this time of year is putting safety first. Carpooling can add to the chaos or when done well, it can create beautiful harmony. Here are some tips to help you lean toward the harmonious side of carpooling.
Safety first: Everyone has to have their own space with a dedicated seatbelt. Absolutely no distracted driving. Don’t be afraid to ask the other parent/adult drivers to get a copy of their insurance. If you don’t know them well, ask them about their driving record. Ask your own kiddo about how they drive. You can replace a carpool driver, but you can’t replace your kiddo.
Schedule: Create a schedule and make sure that all drivers are on board with it and know what to do if it has to change at any point. Inform your children of what they can expect. Make sure they know who is picking them up and when. The more you can stick to the schedule, the more harmonious will be your life!
Rules: Create a set of rules that all the other drivers and passengers will agree too. Start with safety, but include rules about changing schedules, drivers, etc. Also, be clear about what you’re willing to put up with in your own vehicle: music stations, eating in the car, etc.
Contact list: This is something that is easy to overlook, but if there’s an emergency or a last minute change to the schedule, the last thing you want to do is to start trying to locate another parents’ contact information. Keep this list on the fridge and a copy in your glovebox or other easily accessible spot.
Seating: Kids under 13 ride in the back. Separate kiddos who are likely to cause problems sitting close together. Before heading out, take a moment to check that everyone is inside the car and safely buckled.
At Rusty’s Garage, your safety is own #1 priority, and that is why we recommend preventative maintenance to all our customers, especially when it’s back to school time. Properly functioning tires, brakes, steering, etc. really makes a difference! Check out our back to school specials on our homepage!! Our team looks forward to working with you! Schedule your appointment today. We're located at 25143 Melda Road, Building B, in Spring, TX, 77380 and are open from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday.