Back-to-School Carpooling Tips from Acura Carland

The summer is winding down and that means that the new school year is right around the corner. Acura Carland wants to help with the transition by providing tips on how to plan a  carpool that runs smoothly. With just a few easy steps, you can prepare for the upcoming year with confidence.

One important element of an efficient carpool is organization. Meet up with other parents who are interested in carpooling and decide on routes, schedules, and rules that kids and parents should follow. Some things to consider during this meeting are:

• Do all parents’ vehicles have enough seats for every child?

• Do kids have similar extracurriculars that allow them to travel together?

• Do all participants live in the same area so no one is completely out of the way?

• Do any children need safety seats or need to sit in the backseat due to age and height?

It is also best to assign the same day or week to one parent to avoid confusion or scheduling issues. Creating a group email or text will make communication easier and having an emergency contact list will help you to plan for the unexpected. It may be a good idea to have designated backup drivers in the event of an emergency as well.

Another important part of organization is making sure your children know what is going on. It is important to remind them who will be picking them up and dropping them off, especially at the beginning of the year. The other key element to getting the carpool to run smoothly is to be on time. Whether you are getting your kids ready to climb into the car or it is your turn to pick everyone up, timeliness is key. Remember not to hold up the carpool parent with driveway conversations that could make them late either.

The other key element of a great carpool is safety. A few items to go over with your children before they begin carpool this year are:

• Buckle up

• Be courteous to other passengers

• No screaming

• Use crosswalks and sidewalks

• Be aware of your surroundings

• Exit the car from curbside and have older children wait on the curb to ensure younger kids get out safely

For parents, be aware of speed limits and special instructions from crossing guards, carpool monitors, or school carpool policies. It is also important to remember to keep the car in Park until everyone is buckled.

A few last minute things to keep in mind are to check the vehicle for forgotten lunchboxes and backpacks before pulling away and ensuring your vehicle is in great shape to avoid emergency car trouble or unsafe situations. Making sure your vehicle is running at its best means that rain or shine, whether you are stuck in traffic or it is smooth sailing, you are ready for anything.