Are one of your children headed for college this fall? If they are taking their car, you want to make sure that your child can stay safe on the road. Your child may be taking their car to school to get around more easily, but car accidents can easily happen, especially if your child is so busy with classes that they can’t take proper care of their car.
The attorneys at Flaxman Law Group have already helped thousands of families affected by serious car accident or personal injuries. We know how devastating a serious injury can be, which is why we want to offer these tips for keeping your child safe at college:
1) Give your child a safe way to move into dorms.
If your teen is planning on moving into their dorm rooms themselves, keep in mind that they may need help. Overloading their car in order to drive across the country or across the state can be extremely risky, especially if all their belongings are piled high and overburdening the car. Offer to lend a hand or pay for movers so that your child doesn’t put themselves at risk on moving day.
2) Make sure that there are safe parking spots.
If your child is taking their car to school, are there safe parking spots on or near campus? Parking lots can be empty and poorly lit, especially at night. Check the school parking lots and parking options to find out what safety measures are in place. Are there emergency call buttons nearby? Are the parking lots well lit? Are there special parking areas for female students? Keep in mind that your child may be going home to their dorm room late at night after staying at a library or a friend’s house. Make sure that they can walk to and from their car safely.
3) Offer a free tune-up as a graduation or moving away gift.
If your teen has saved up for an older car, that older car may not have the newest safety features available. Make sure that the car is at least in good physical condition and will not leave your child stranded or in an unsafe situation. Pay for mechanic to check it over and offer a basic tune-up.
4) Have your child sign drive sober and drive distraction-free pledge.
Once your child is out of the house, you will have a harder time enforcing no distracted driving and no drinking and driving rules. Make sure your teen understands that even with the peer pressure of being away from home they need to stay alert and sober when driving their car. Make sure that your teen knows about alternatives to getting home safely. Many colleges have walk home safe programs and other programs that can help your child avoid drunk driving and other unsafe situations.
Flaxman Law Group proudly advocates on behalf of roadway accident and personal injury victims throughout South Florida. If you or a loved one have been injured, do not hesitate to contact our full-service law firm to get assistance and legal advice about your situation. Your initial consultation with us is free and comes with absolutely no obligation.