If you ever got behind the wheel of a car at the wrong time, you probably heard a small child shout “MOM! MOM!” as you made your way through traffic. You had no choice but to obey, as the law forbids you to drive while distracted. But what if you got in the wrong car and wound up in a different traffic situation? Can you still obey the law? How about if there aren’t any cars around? Can you still disobey the law and get away with it?
Welcome to the wonderful world of back seat skiing!
You’re driving along, minding your own business, when a parent pulls out in front of you with their kid(s) in the back seat. Or maybe you’re on your way to a ski resort and the car in front of you just dropped their kids off at the front door. In either case, you’re stuck behind them for the duration of the trip. What then? Do you honk at them? Call them out? Insist they let you pass?
The best thing to do — for both your safety and theirs — is to remain silent and do your best to avoid any mishaps. But that’s easier said than done. Once you’re in this situation, it’s hard to keep your mouth shut. So here are some tips on how to get out of the back seat skiing.
Table of Contents
Know The Risks
The first thing you need to do is to know the risks. Kids can be unpredictable, and sometimes they’ll do things that put your safety at risk. They’ll laugh when you tell them no, they’ll whine when you threaten them with punishment, and they’ll push your buttons when you least expect it. Knowing how children can be in advance will help you avoid any dangerous situations. You can’t control what they’re going to do so you might as well be prepared for it.
Parents need to be aware of this too. It’s their responsibility to control their kids, but that also means they have to take the blame if anything happens. It’s not your responsibility to protect them from harm so long as you’re obeying the traffic laws. If they break any rules, it’s their own fault if you get pulled over by a cop. This means you could both be at risk if the situation turns bad. The key is to ensure everyone is aware of the risks before getting into the car. If they don’t want you to drive, then don’t force them. When one person is against it and the other is for it, it’s usually the person against it that ends up changing their mind. Don’t be afraid to put your foot down and refuse to budge until the situation is resolved.
Plan Your Escape Path
The second thing you need to do is to plan your escape path. Your plan should include a way to get out of the car, as well as an idea of what you’ll do once you’re free. Knowing where you’re going and what you’ll do once you get there is the best way to ensure you’ll actually make it out alive. You don’t want to be driving down the road and have no idea where you are or what’s happening around you. It’s easy to become disoriented in this situation and not have any idea how you got into this predicament. So, try to make your escape plan as detailed as possible. This will also help you remember it easily whenever you need to — especially if you get pulled over by a cop and his lights are shining in your eyes.
Use Common Sense
The next thing you need to do is to use your common sense. This is important because, in most situations, you’ll be operating a motor vehicle while impaired. If you’re drinking alcohol or doing drugs, even in low concentrations, it’s going to be harder for you to operate a motor vehicle safely. Your ability to make smart decisions will be affected, and you might not be able to follow the rules of the road. So, be careful out there. It’s not just about following the rules, it’s about being safe and aware of your surroundings.
Don’t Get Overly Carful
The last thing you want to do is to get overly carful. This is especially important if you’ve got kids in the back seat. Being overly carful behind the wheel is dangerous because it limits your view of the road ahead. Kids are naturally drawn to the side of the car, and when they see something they want or like, they’ll climb up and try to get in, or push their way in if it’s too small for them. So, one of the things you need to avoid is getting overly carful. It’s better to err on the side of caution and be slightly over than to risk your life because you were too concerned about being eco-friendly.
When you follow these tips on how to get out of the back seat skiing, it won’t be long until you forget about it. The best thing is you can follow them anytime, anywhere. As long as you’re obeying the traffic laws and aren’t drinking and driving, you should be safe. But if the situation changes and turns bad, then you’ll be glad you had this experience and were able to follow these tips. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and as we all know, safety comes first. So, keep your eyes open and your foot on the brake — and you’ll be good to go.