Safety is a crucial aspect that drivers need to consider when driving their passengers. From exuberant children to adults that may be drunk or rowdy, drivers should know how to ensure maximum safety while on the road. It is essential to realise that there is more to vehicle safety than wearing seat belts.
This article discusses safety tips for handling children and adults while driving. Keep reading to find out more!
Experience
Driver experience plays a significant role in helping with passenger safety. In essence, all minibuses and vans should be driven by experienced and licensed drivers who drive such vehicles regularly. Thus, it is crucial to have a commercial driver’s licence. Experience is mandatory because minibuses and vans handle differently than regular vehicles, especially when fully loaded. It will help the drivers know all that entails road safety and what to do during an emergency.
Install the Correct Car Seat
Regardless of the age of the children you’re chauffeuring, it is vital to prepare your vehicle for your child. You should adequately secure any children below the age of 7 in a child car seat that is up to Australian standards. This means correctly installing a correct-sized seat and one that goes with your child’s height in your minibus or van. The seats should also be fastened and adjusted accordingly to fit the children. It is crucial to note that minibus and bus safety requires children below 4 years to use a car seat with an inbuilt harness. Older children can use a booster seat.
Selecting a child seat with anchorage points that adhere to international child safety standards is also crucial. A qualified professional should install the seat to ensure it is properly secured.
Don’t Leave Children Unattended in the Vehicle
Paying attention to passengers at all times, especially children, is fundamental to vehicle safety – it doesn’t matter whether you’re briefly stepping out to buy something in the shop or making a parking payment, you should never leave children unattended in the vehicle. This is because it puts the children at risk of dehydration or an accident.
Lock and Secure while Driving
If you have chauffeured children before, you will realise that they tend to get up to all kinds of mischief. Similarly, adults from events involving alcohol tend to be rowdy and energetic. This is why drivers should always lock or secure their vehicle doors and anything that could culminate into a dangerous situation. Switching on all child locks is crucial to keep doors from swinging open and leading to a nasty accident. Removing or securing loose luggage will also help prevent them from falling on your passengers in case of a sudden stop.
Observe Speed
Observing the speed limit is another safety requirement for minibuses and vans. It is crucial for drivers to always adhere to the posted speed limit. As a driver, you should also reduce your speed and drive carefully in poor weather conditions. Note that minibuses and vans are large vehicles requiring extra braking time and cannot handle sudden manoeuvres like regular vehicles can.
Ensure that Occupants Fasten their Seat Belts
You should ensure that all your vehicle occupants wear seat belts at all times. Australia was the first country to institute compulsory seat belt-wearing rules in vehicles globally. This shows how seatbelts are a crucial aspect of vehicle safety. It is also significant to regularly inspect seat belts and replace those missing or damaged. Research shows that an unrestrained van passenger involved in an accident is 4 times more at risk of dying than a restrained passenger.
Adairs Minibus & Van Hire is Your Ideal Vehicle Company
If you’re in the Central Coast (NSW) and are looking for vehicle hire services, look no further than Adairs Bus & Van Hire. Our fleet modern, reliable vehicles, and if needed, you will also have access to a professional driver so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy your trip. Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements, or call us to make a booking.