Five Mom-Inspired Driving Tips

Mothers say it everyday. Watch where you're going, be careful and don't rush around. It's almost like a mantra as kids scurry here and there in a haphazard fashion. This sage advice also benefits moms on the road.

Watch the road, not the clock. Mama said there would be days like these. One kid has soccer practice at the same time another has to get to dance rehearsal. Dad is working late and mom is in a bind. Forget the clock and watch the road. Hurrying and clock-watching causes accidents. Dare to be five minutes late and get there safely. Nobody will really mind.

Signs, signs, everywhere signs. Avoid the urge to slide through stop signs, coast through yield signs and rush toward yellow lights. Safety is more important than time. The demands of rushing home from work and taxiing kids to activities get overwhelming. Take a deep breath, look for signs and you'll still get everything done in the long run. Accidents happen when people fail to observe signs and traffic signals.

Take a back seat. Each state has different laws about children riding in the front seat. Mothers know the familiar refrain, “I've got the front seat!” Unless the child is age appropriate, they need to take a back seat. This protects children in case of an accident as little ones can be crushed by air bags. It may also prevent mom from breaking the law and getting a ticket.

Sit on it and clamp it. States also have various laws about putting children in car seats. Know the law before you hit the road with children in tow. If you're driving kids that belong to someone else, make sure you have the right car seat. Babies one year and under are typically placed in a rear-facing car seat. Older children need front-facing car seats and booster seats. Check for recalls, read reviews and verify local laws. Know how to properly buckle the child into the care seat. Be aware of car seat laws when you travel, too.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Mothering is a 24-hour job and sometimes other tasks fall through the cracks. Make sure none of them are related to driving legally. Always know the expiration dates on your drivers license, automobile registration, car insurance and inspection. Check yourself before you wreck yourself and wind up without proper coverage.

Bottom line: Slow down, you move too fast. Stop, look and listen – just like you tell the kids. Know the laws, take your time and always put safety first. Your kids are precious cargo and so are you.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.