Keeping your children safe in the car is one of the most important responsibilities for moms. You always want to make it from Point A to Point B without any accidents or other mishaps, but with so many distractions it's become increasingly hard to do that. I've partnered with Navdy to tell you how to avoid potentially fatal mistakes.
I think most people can agree that driving has changed over the past few decades. I know that some people say, "We didn't even have car seats when I was a kid, and I'm still alive!" Well, yes that's true, but there are 100M more people in the US now than there were in 1970. We're driving faster and with DVDs and MP3s playing in the background. Plus, a lot of people are distracted from reading texts and emails. Sometimes I'm distracted just from having an almost 5 year old in the backseat who asks no less than 50 questions an hour.
As busy moms, it can be easy to make a mistake without meaning to. Getting caught up in the hustle of shuttling children from here to there while running a never ending list of to-do's in your head can cause bad judgment calls to be made. That's why I want us to work towards being more prepared on the road. Having tools and a plan of action can prevent deadly mistakes.
4 Deadly Driving Mistakes Moms Make And How To Avoid Them
1 - Focusing on navigation. Taking your eyes off the road to check your navigation device or phone for directions is such a bad idea and can absolutely cost you life or limb. When you aren’t looking in front of you, you could rear-end another vehicle or drive off the road, among other horrifying scenarios.
Navdy Head-Up Display
One way to avoid this is to have a head-up display, like a Navdy. Navdy is a portable head-up display (HUD) that integrates your phone and car like never before. It sits on your car’s dashboard and leverages augmented reality to project information directly in your line of sight, so your eyes never have to leave the road.
When paired with the free Navdy app on your iPhone or Android smartphone, your Navdy head-up display can easily guide you from point A to point B without ever having to look to the side or down at your phone or GPS. The map will appear right before you and seamlessly guide you. Plus, since Navdy is powered by Google Maps, you'll always have the most accurate directions and map available. I can't tell you how many times my stand-alone GPS unit has led me astray since it wasn't current on its map updates.
2 - Reading a text or taking a phone call. Anything coming for your cell phone can be a deadly distraction when you're driving. The NHTSA states that sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed!
Again, Navdy can help you with this! As part of their “look forward” initiative, Navdy presents the information you need from your cell phone - maps, calls, messages, emails, app notifications, and music - just above the dashboard so you can see it all without looking away.
If you need to make a call, you still don't need to reach for that phone. Navdy enables simple, hand gesture-based access to the the phone functions that you need most and projects everything directly in your line of sight.
Navdy even comes with a bluetooth dial that attaches to your steering wheel so you can easily interact with your phone and your display without ever taking your hands off the wheel. You can scroll through menu options by spinning the dial with your thumb and can select songs, contacts, routes and more by tapping the button in the center.
3 - Distractions from the back seat. There are many ways your children might need you while you're driving. One may want a snack or his pacifier and the other may be fighting with her sibling and needing to be disciplined. When something arises that needs to be taken care, it’s best to pull off the road and solve the problem. Looking back or focusing more on the rearview mirror than the road ahead of you can be a very costly mistake.
4 - Improper installation of car seats. Car seats are designed to keep your children safe while in the vehicle. However, if they are not properly installed and used, they can cause more harm than good. Ensure you have the right car seat in place for your child’s height and weight, and that it is properly installed into your car. When your child gets in your vehicle, make sure they are properly restrained in the seat at all times.
More about the Navdy head-up display
I've been using a Navdy head-up display for several months now. Although my SUV has a navigation system, I used to use my phone to navigate to unknown places because Google Maps is more user friendly and I could do talk to text to command it easily (unlike my SUV's voice command system which can never figure out what I'm saying). Now, I simply use my Navdy. Getting places has never been easier. All the information I need is transparent and projected in vivid color, which gives me a perfect view of maps and the road ahead all at the exact same time.
You can use Navdy in almost any car make or model, and everything you need is right in the box (with the exception of the free Navdy app that you'll need to install on your Android device or iPhone). Setup is super simple, and I was ready to go within just a few minutes. You can see that the unit is pretty low profile, and if at any time you don't want to use it, you can simply fold the display screen down.
As a parent, I realize that my children's lives are in my hands every single day while I'm driving them around town. I'm thankful to have a Navdy head-up display so I can eliminate a few deadly distractions. This technology is amazing and can help prevent deadly mistakes so you can arrive at your destination happy and healthy.
I've got some good news for you! Navdy has just decreased the price of their head-up display so it's more affordable than ever. Be sure to check them out to add this incredible device to your vehicle.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Navdy. As always, all opinions are my own.
Amber Ludwig says
LOVE the heads up display!! How perfect to have everything you need right in front of you instead of having to look down!! Seriously genius!
Sharon Dunn says
I love the heads up display.
Jennifer says
Please set down your phone!
McKenzie Blankenship says
Do not look away,or down at your phone for any reason. It can wait
Jayde says
These are all awesome tips that should alqays be kept in mind. Sometimes the smallest distraction can cause a big problem.
Alyssa Jasinowski says
LOVE that you're making sure people know safe driving!
Amber Rae King says
Thank you for these useful tips!!
jennifer peters says
I was lucky when I was distracted by my kids in the back seat. We hit the curb & popped 2 tires but luckily no one was hurt. It was a scary & expensive lesson but I learned it fast1!
Alison says
WOW - driving 55 mph and just reading a text/taking a phone call you can drive the length of a football field - that is scary! Thanks for these tips and I like the Navdy - finally something you can actually use, thanks for this!
Lisa oren says
Please keep your phone somewhere it's not tempting to text or look at
Angela Hendricks says
I would love to have a Navdy Head Up Display. I have never seen this before but it would come in so useful especially when you are using GPS!
Phyllis P says
All great tips and please put your cell phones down. No text is worth someones life.
Mary Dailey says
This sounds like a great device. Even a few seconds taking your eyes off the road can be devastating!
Vicky D says
I can't understand how people can be so irresponsible behind the wheel. I'll have to look into the Navdy!
Laura Geiger-Lepper says
Phones should be outlawed while driving fines should be very high so people would think 1st
Kyla says
You have to make yourself zone out the craziness in the back! Leave the phone alone and stay safe! It's not worth the risk!
Carlene Brumber says
Leave phone at home
Peggy Killham says
Love the headsup display. I always think Im doing good about not being distracted while driving but in reality Im not. I have been making sure my phone is set to blue tooth so if I HAVE to take a call it will be hands free.
Sonia says
Thank you! I love the great tips! Whenever someone texts me while driving i always think and say if its important they will call me instead of text and i wait till i get home or my destination to chexk my text.
Sumaira khan says
With kids it's really important and somewhat difficult to concentrate on the road while driving so this head up display is the great invention keeping in mind the distractions of a driver.
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
Thanks for posting! I see people texting and driving all the time and it drives me crazy! I think my biggest issue is the kids being loud in the back seats... that's where the dvd player comes in handy. lol
Margaret gallagher says
Never answer the phone whilst driving
Pull over or even turn it off
Missy Wilber says
Love the heads up display!
Too many have to have their phones in their hands while in the vehicle 🙁 It can wait.
Some great information here!
Julie B says
Very cool techonolgy!
People, be safe out on the roads and think before doing anything! Things happen because you are not paying attention on the road. Get rid of all distractions! Put your phone down and watch the roads!
Diana P says
Always keep your eyes on the road. And not on your phone. It can wait. It's not worth the risk.
Heather Jackson says
Nothing makes me more !mad then to drive by a car and see them playing with their phone, I have kids in my car every time I go somewhere so I don't like it when people risk our safety just to read a text, its never worth it, these are great tips!
Sarah Spencer says
Such a good reminder! I often use my phone for navigation. I turn up the sound so I hear the direction instead of having to look down at it. Will definitely look into some technology options though.
Amanda W says
Navdy sounds great. It would be awesome to not have to look away from the road for directions.
AniW says
As the wife of a firefighter who has been to way too many deadly car accidents, I think this is an amazing piece of tech! It is scary to think about how many people are so distracted while driving nowadays.
Angela Mason says
Looks like an amazing device, but whatever happened to just honestly watching the road? Drivers should be concentrating on the road instead of their phones, I miss the good old days when you didn't worry about a call until you got home. Have a wonderful weekend!!
Annie says
To protect yourself and your family, it's best to just put the phone down while driving. That text message can wait until you reach you destination!
Linda Manns Linneman says
This product sounds awesome. So many people are texting or talking while driving and think nothing can happen to them. This is so untrue. Great suggestion. Thank you so much for sharing this
stephanie lail says
it's scary these days on the road with all these distractions an arms reach away! I love that you are making people more aware of them.
Christina Ferreira says
I know as a mom I need to be more responsible for my children and other people's children. I've started making sure I resist the urge to look and put my phone down!
SUSAN STROHL says
No phone call or text is worth your safety
Cindy Samms says
Distracted driving is very dangerous. The amount of accidents that I see in our trauma center (I am in charge of the largest and only level one trauma surgical unit in our state) has at least doubled since cell phones. I had 3 accidents in one night last Friday that we're all related to drivers texting while driving. One hit a pedestrian and the other hit a young man on a motorcycle. Both ended up dying. PUT AWAY YOUR CELLPHONES WHILE DRIVING!!! A persons life is not worth your text.
Darcy Koch says
I seriously am considering buying one for my daughter. I know she makes calls and reads texts while she is driving. I don't have that concern for myself. And I have been distracted by kids in the back seat as well. I have my daughter take her carseats to the annual carseat safety program.
Tracey Davis says
Making sure your drink is in an area that you can reach and preferably with a lid so you dont have to unscrew a cap! Don't eat, do your make-up, read, text or look for something in your purse while driving.
Mia says
I like that this is right in the line of sight and how clear and simple the map looks. I agree that some cars navigations systems are not very user friendly and difficult to use.
Amanda Joosten says
Anytime u think ur safe to look at ur phone for a second.. Is a time u put your passengers and your life t risk. It is never a time to look at ur phone when driving. There is a and a place for everything... Texting while driving is NOT the time.
kathy joosten says
Driving can be very dangerous it is so very important to pay attention, my best advice is people please stay off the phone! I still see so many drivers on their darn phone! If it is that important pull over, nothing is worth s life!
Katelyn Linder says
This is awesome. I use my oboe. For navigation butnits down a little lower and I'm always getting nervous that something I'll happen while I'm checking it.
Cindy Spry says
Please put the phone down. Nothing is worth losing your life over. I never use the phone or text anyone. It can wait until I pull over and check my phone then.
Rosie says
These are important and excellent points. I think people tend to think of horrible crashes as something that happens on the highway, but trips near home are often the worst. Seeing that other people are not paying enough attention, you need to pay extra attention. It is hard to not be looking back too much, or even turning around to grab something.
Victoria Scott says
This device looks so awesome!! The It Can Wait campaign is so important, too!
Lauren Jones says
These are some important and preventable life saving tips.
Angela Waring says
Definitely have some sort of hands free for your phone if you have to use it!!! I like the heads up display! That is definitely pretty sweet. The biggest thing for me is if the GPS stalls and the instructions get delayed. I try VERY hard to use the voice and not constantly glance at the map.
Heather Sellers says
So very true. They all speak to me. Car seat usage is so important to me! I am grateful a friend pointed out my mistakes 5 years afk
julie says
Please do not text and drive
Sheri Bernal says
I definitely get distracted with the "Hey Mommy look at this" "I dropped my toy, can you pick it up?" Constantly from the back seat. This product seems new and different. Pretty cool and very useful!
Falicia Standish says
Distracted driving isn't safe at all! Seems like a useful product!!
Carrie frabasilio says
Love this!
Jamie Shapiro says
This such an important issue in this day and age, ty for posting this.
Elizabeth S says
I try so hard to go places w/o using my phone gps and when I don't need it I make sure to keep my phone in my purse in the back seat of my van. I have enough distractions from my cute and wild kiddos. ?
Chantelle Webber says
What great tips. I think keeping your phone in your purse in the back seat is the tip I've ever heard. This app lools.so helpful
Judy says
I still don't understand why anyone thinks using a cell while driving is okay. If you have voice command, I can see using it, but don't understand the need to talk on the phone while driving. If you need to make a call get off the road/freeway and do so. Thanks for the reminder though for those who still think it is okay to answer a call. That's why you have voice mail. Nothing is so important that you can't pull into a gas station or fast food place or a shopping center/whatever if you think you need to check your voice mail.
Reyna Ramirez says
Love! Great information great review.
Callie says
What a great idea to help focus on driving but get the info you need.
Tina Conley says
This is a great read for these days! Thanks for sharing!!
Rebecca M Bos says
Really wish more people would read this!
ANN PIFER says
The Navdy would be so helpful especially on trips out of town. Nothing is more important than family. pull off in a parking lot if you must take a call or look at a text. You will arrive at your destination a few seconds later.....at least you will arrive.
Tamera Westhoff says
This sounds like a great product. I just have Google Maps talk to me.
Maureen Blatz says
I turn off my phone when I'm driving because even the ringing can distract you
Vickie Whitley says
I love you are on point about driving and being on the phone.
Kacy drake says
So important. Thanks for sharing!
Nikkif412 says
As busy as you are nothing is more important than the safety of your babies!
Maria Soria says
I still can't believe how many people drive distracted.
melanie jackson pickus says
please be safe, no text is worth looking at
Kayla Norris says
Love navigation but I definitely feel that it is my number one distraction. If I don't have it on it stays in my purse in back seat so I am not even tempted.
Marcie m says
I've been guilty of the text while driving. I haven't done it in awhile. It's just not worth mine or my kids lives.
Marisiol Avila says
LOVE this!!! This is all stuff i see people do daily while in the car. It scares me to know that people can be so careless especially while driving winth childre. I saw an accident on the road this weekend that left our family shooken up for a while. It was a man that was on his phone on navigation app. He hit the xar infron of him and de railed the car off the road. This is so scary.
Brandi Ellison says
Make sure all devices are connected and or put away before you start the car is my rule
Megan Marmo says
So scary!! Always keep the volume up on navigations so you don't have to keep looking away from the road!!
Kelly Freeman says
So scary
Weezie says
Always pull over to use your phone. I've finally convinced my mother to do that, and it makes me feel so much better.
Sandy Tsoi says
This portable head up display will be helpful.
Nancy says
All these hints are helpful and essential.. Often fire stations have someone to check your car seat is installed correctly.
Lenae Schwartz says
"Keep your eyes on the road" is more simply said than done.
Patricia wright says
Good advice. I don't ride with my sister because she texts and drives.
Sue E says
I love the saying "Watch out for the other guy!"
Because basically, to me, that is one of the most important rules of the road! The couple of accidents that our immediate family were in, were because people weren't following the rules! The first one was because someone blew the light. The second one was because someone was following too close and slammed into our family from behind! Thank God out of both accidents, there was a broken clavicle and a slight concussion! My one daughter was also pregnant and didn't know it until she was involved in the accident. That pregnancy produced a beautiful baby girl who will be 16 next month!! Your friend can find out about your new boyfriend or girlfriend later or whatever unimportant news it is! Phones should be used for emergencies - NOT to cause them!!
Tara Beckage says
Thanks for these tips.. as a mom I know how easy it is to be distracted by our kids. I lost my sister & a friend in a car accident. It's so important to be safe on the road.
Vanessa says
There is never a reason to check a text message while driving if it is that important pull over.
Alisha S says
After spending many hours in a vehicle with a husband (now ex-) who insisted on driving and who spent more time looking at his phone than at the road, I completely agree that there are way too many distractions for a driver to even glance in the direction of his or her phone while driving. Life is precious. I am grateful for people who come up with devices like the Navdy to help reduce distracted driving. Thank you!!!
Deborah D says
Navdy is such a great thing. It should be in all vehicles!
denise low says
If I get phone calls while driving I will just let it ring. Thank you for sharing your tips.
Amanda says
I have been meaning to have my daughter-s carseat checked forever and after reading this i am making an appt now.
Katieandaaron Petty says
I only wish they would mantiory the navigation in all vehicles. That's the one that gets me. My phone will sometimes stop talking and I get lost so easily.
Vickie Whitley says
Never text and drive. It is against the law.
Heather Cahill says
Very important read.
Cheryl Forman says
Great read! This would be a great helper in the car. Never use the phone for anything no matter what if the car is not in park.
Rija says
This is so important and i ve heard about this devise ,it should be in every vehicle !
Eileen Royal says
Love yourself more, don't text, talk and drive m
Heather Marie L. says
I always put my phone in my glovebox as not to get distracted. Even though you may not have a child in your vehicle at the time, if you glance at your phone for a moment and lose control over your vehicle you may hit another car with a child in it. Regardless, children or adults in the vehicles it is not worth it to be so selfish and look at your cell phone while you put others at risk,
Jessica Lodge says
These are great tips. I rarely use navigation but when I do it's on my phone. It's definitely hard to use it and keep my eyes on the road. The head up display is an awesome feature.
Ashley says
I definitely think we need to focus more on the car seat issue. Only 5% of parents are doing it correctly according to one study. carseatsforthelittles, thecarseatlady and safekids (in your specific city, ie: safe kids spokane) are great resources for parents. A free check up with a technician is always recommended (I do a step above waiting for the free event - every time I change my car or seat or my child grows to the next step a schedule a one on one appointment with a tech which you can usually do by tipping $20-$40. But the events are free and your local hospital may be able to tell you when and where they are). My top car seat tips: Chest clip goes on the chest, no puffy coats in the carseat, do not put the carseat on top of the grocery cart, and extended rear face whenever possible. Thank you for raising car seat awareness. I came here for a contest but was happy to find someone discussing it.
Christina M says
I always remember my number one priority is to drive. So even if a baby is crying, I need to focus on driving, etc.
Bridget N. says
I dislike navigation beacuse I havr to look at the map but my husband is great at listening to it and getting use there safely. Thanks for all the great tips!
Isabel H says
I think we need to put our phones down when driving and pay attention to the road
gloria patterson says
a lot of good information and it is so easy to take your eyes off for a second Did some checking as much as I would like to have this does not fit my budget at all
Katie L. says
These were all great reminders of things we shouldn't be doing while driving. It sure would be nice if our children weren't so distracting in the backseat!
Terri S. says
I've never heard of this Navdy Head-Up Display but it looks like amazing technology. When I first started driving all I had were paper maps and there were no cell phones. We've come a long way! These are great tips for safe driving especially the one about not reading or sending text messages. There are too many news reports of fatal accidents caused by texting.
Lui Marfoglia says
Leave the phone in purse in the back seat, where it is unreachable reminds me not to answer while driving.
Nancy Jachcik says
Dont assume you know what the other driver is going to do People leave blinkers on but then dont turn Always wait for traffic to clear
William Ho says
I would love this in my car.
Jan Lee says
What if it's against the law in your state to be on your phone at all unless you are parked? That's the law in my state so I don't think this would work here. They don't want any devices distracting you, like you said, DVDs, phones, whatever it is. Whatever is considered a device will get you ticketed and fined if the police see you using it while you are driving, here in my state, both locally and on the highways.
gloria patterson says
You are right in so many ways their is so many distraction like reaching for your purse and trying to find something in it. When i am driving my phone is in my pocket and if it rings I just hit a button on my steering wheel. BUT no texting for me.