Carpooling with other parents can make your life much easier, but it can also be scary for parents.

Every parent can use help every once awhile. Carpooling is a great way to lessen parents’ responsibility. However, carpooling often makes parents nervous. Here are some tips on how to make carpooling safer and easier.

Before agreeing to carpool with another parent, get to know the parent. Playdates are a great for your children to have fun and for you to meet the other parent. It is a relaxed atmosphere that encourages bonding.

Once you feel comfortable with this other parent driving your children, you should create a carpooling schedule. Write down the parent responsible driving for each day. This will make planning and scheduling much easier.

There are a couple of safety precautions that every parent in your carpooling group should do. You should create an emergency contact sheet with names and contact information. This way everyone knows that their child will be taken care of, in case of an emergency. It is also important to write down any relevant safety information. For example, you should include any of the children’s food allergies. Make sure your car is maintained. This is a simple and easy way to prevent accidents. You should get your oil changed, rotate your tires, and inspect tire air pressure level.

You must make sure each of the children is following basic safety rules. If you need booster seats, make sure that the booster seats are installed correctly.  Do not drive unless you are sure that each child has buckled up. Buckling up will protect the children. As a driver, you should minimize any distractions. You are carrying precious cargo. Avoid any distractions like eating, texting, or talking. It can be difficult to handle a car from children, but do not try to parent and drive. If you must intervene in an argument, pull over. You do not want to risk an accident.

To make carpooling easier, you should see if your school has any special transportation rules. Many schools have special rules regarding speed limits. There are also designated pick-up and drop-off locations. Keeping on top of these rules will make your carpooling experience stress free.

You should always be on time. The other parents and children are counting on you. There may be differences in parenting styles. It might be best to keep your opinions to yourself. Just make sure that your child is safe.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavihopes that his primer on carpooling was helpful. Please call us if you were involved in a car accident. Our expert Orange car accident lawyers are fully prepared to handle any case.