How do you adjust your driving when the kids are in the car?

[jimxms]

Do you take fewer risks, drive slower or change any other variables in your driving?

The reason I ask is because I often feel like a bad parent when driving down the motorway at 70-80mph. Even though the conditions are perfect and I feel most alert when travelling at this sort of speed, I can't shake the feeling that I should be joining those over to my left in a 56mph crawl!?!

[jamieduff1981]

I don't change my driving at all with my kids in the car. Maybe a little less high power, low gear, damp road wheelspin provoking antics in the TVR with the girls, but in general I'm almost as keen on staying around to see them grow up as I am to keep them alive.

[Snowboy]

I drive smoother.

I don't mid throwing myself or my wife about but with a child in the car I drive smoother.
Less acceleration, slower speeds on tight corners, slower on roundabouts, less late braking.

It's not a case of being any safer.
It's just being smoother.

[Bill]

I drive through puddles and over bumps faster. There's nothing like having a row of giggling kids in the back while your wife rolls her eyes

As far as the OP goes, motorways are the safest roads so crack on.

[TommoAE86]

No kids yet but I do have to adjust slightly in terms of speed around bends with my 2 younger brothers in the car

[kambites]

If I thought something was significantly dangerous, I wouldn't do it regardless of who was in the car with me because there's always the risk of hurting someone outside the car.

Passenger disposition does make a difference, though. I try to avoid terrifying my passengers.

[jamieduff1981]

kambites said:

If I thought something was significantly dangerous, I wouldn't do it regardless of who was in the car with me because there's always the risk of hurting someone outside the car.

That's a good point. If it's that dangerous that you feel you have to adjust when the kids are onboard, then you probably shouldn't be doing it at all!

[Buff Mchugelarge]

I think I do more handbrake turns and wheelspins with my little boy than on my own!

I always keep the speed down and don't take liberties when on the road. I like to think I'm ok, I just don't trust anyone else one the road

[Snowboy]

Bill said:

I drive through puddles and over bumps faster. There's nothing like having a row of giggling kids in the back while your wife rolls her eyes

As far as the OP goes, motorways are the safest roads so crack on.

I would guess your children are older then mine.

[Bill]

6,3 & 3. The younger two haven't been in a quick car but the eldest loved acceleration.

[jimxms]

jamieduff1981 said:

That's a good point. If it's that dangerous that you feel you have to adjust when the kids are onboard, then you probably shouldn't be doing it at all!

The thing is, speed doesn't worry me per-se. I've done some very naughty speeds in the past on a perfectly clear motorway in good visibility. It's more the issue of passing a large number of cars and lorries that I perceive has the increased risk of driving at/slightly above the motorway limit.

That said I always hold back from passing vehicles until there is either enough space in front of them (so I don't end up driving beside them) or I have another lane free to my right as an 'exit strategy'.

But I still cant shake the feeling that I'm being a little reckless??

[007 VXR]

When my 6 year old boy is in the car its like having Murray Walker in the back,
@ the lights "Go go go...."
If i get over taken by a nice car its " Go get him dad"
If i give it a foot full its " Oooooo yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees"
OR O yes thats fast
And one time when i hit the brakes VERY hard, all you heard was " O my nuts! (he has a bucket seat with a 5 point harness)

But as has been said, if there is a risk, i dont do it....

[JimmyTheHand]

I'd expect to distracted and shocked when find non-existent kids in car

[Shurv]

Just tell them to hang on.............................................

[Nigel Worc's]

Mine are grown up now, I don't think I ever changed style at all.

[10 Pence Short]

The only thing I changed was pulling out of junctions; I won't pull out into gaps I would on my own, in case me or the oncoming vehicle having an issue that would cause a side- on.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

007 VXR said:

When my 6 year old boy is in the car its like having Murray Walker in the back,
@ the lights "Go go go...."
If i get over taken by a nice car its " Go get him dad"
If i give it a foot full its " Oooooo yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees"
OR O yes thats fast
And one time when i hit the brakes VERY hard, all you heard was " O my nuts! (he has a bucket seat with a 5 point harness)

But as has been said, if there is a risk, i dont do it....

Kids and cars can be a fantastic mix, just enjoy it. He'll be asking for the keys before you know it!

[007 VXR]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

007 VXR said:

When my 6 year old boy is in the car its like having Murray Walker in the back,
@ the lights "Go go go...."
If i get over taken by a nice car its " Go get him dad"
If i give it a foot full its " Oooooo yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees"
OR O yes thats fast
And one time when i hit the brakes VERY hard, all you heard was " O my nuts! (he has a bucket seat with a 5 point harness)

But as has been said, if there is a risk, i dont do it....

Kids and cars can be a fantastic mix, just enjoy it. He'll be asking for the keys before you know it!

[Impasse]

I usually have to remind her to slow down a touch as this is only a 30 limit.

[Nigel Worc's]

007 VXR said:

When my 6 year old boy is in the car its like having Murray Walker in the back,
@ the lights "Go go go...."
If i get over taken by a nice car its " Go get him dad"
If i give it a foot full its " Oooooo yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees"
OR O yes thats fast
And one time when i hit the brakes VERY hard, all you heard was " O my nuts! (he has a bucket seat with a 5 point harness)

But as has been said, if there is a risk, i dont do it....

My son once came out with "he's a wker dad" ....oops !

My girls used to grass up their mom when younger, on a three lane road one of them said " oh here we go, make your mind up time", and on another occasion, when I returned from work, they told me how a man had called mommy a stupid, stupid, ..........woman ! (bless him, she'd gone through a red light causing him to stop quickly and he wouldn't swear in front of the children.

The one we still laugh about to this day was on a pre-christmas drink drive check, when my young son said to the nice policeman "you're not going to give him any points are you, he's just got three ", the copper was sniggering so much he was shaking holding the breathalyser.