In order put the money I’ve saved from not smoking to good use, I’ll soon be coming to a road near you. Yes, I’m learning to drive. Craig has set me the challenge to have passed my test by December (I’m guessing this is so I can slip into the driver’s seat and he can finally have a few drinks over the festive season!). In all seriousness though, there’s a lot to take in. I’m well used to simply strapping the kids in, then whipping out my mobile in the passenger seat and letting Craig whisk us from A to B.

The truth is that whether you’re a frequent or weekend driver, road safety is paramount. With two urchins in the back seat squabbling, I’m under no illusion that I’ll have it far more difficult than most. So here are my top tips for staying safe whilst driving with children:

Preparation is everything

According to a recent study from Slater Gordon, 44% of drivers carry out safety checks (such as oil, tyre pressure and brake light checks) at least once a month, whilst 20% of people said they would carry out safety checks on a car before beginning a journey regardless of whether they were the driver or not. That’s certainly encouraging, but road safety experts suggest this should be something we do as standard every time we hop in our cars.

So do you know your way around your car?

As a driver you’re responsible for the roadworthiness of your vehicle. Although many modern cars are fitted with caps and seals that should only be checked by a qualified mechanic, you should be carrying out frequent oil, engine coolant and tyre checks yourself. Not only will this ensure the efficiency of your vehicle, failure to do so could result in a fine and points on your license.

Tiredness kills

We’ve all seen the signs on the motorway and their importance can not be understated. Long stretches of motorway can look all too indistinguishable when you undertake a long journey. It’s very easy to let your mind wander, despite the fact you are driving at high speed. With this is mind, for long journeys you might do well to ask yourself whether you should be driving at all if you’ve found yourself yawning that day.

Okay okay this is easier said than done when your urchins have kept you up all night. In reality, every parent is shattered - regardless of their child’s age. If it’s not incessant nightfeeds waking you every few hours, your likely to be dealing with your toddler’s 2am night terrors, or struggling to nod off given your 15 year old flagrantly disregarded your 10pm curfew for the third time in as many nights. Yet tiredness is no laughing matter.

If you feel yourself getting sluggish whilst on the road, try one or two of the following to keep yourself alert:

• find somewhere safe to stop so you can rest or take a short nap
• hit the coffee or talk a stroll around a service station to give yourself a mental reboot
• open a window to let in some fresh air if you can’t stop immediately

Whack your mobile on silent

It’s hard to remember a time when parents weren’t contactable at the touch of a button. We’re so used to our children calling us for the most petty of queries (“Where did you put my football boots Mum?”… “What’s the password for Netflix Mum? …) that it can feel alien shutting down that line of communication, even if it’s only for a the briefest of moments. But if there’s anything that the recent car vs lorry fatality on the A34 taught us, it’s that using mobile phones whilst driving is both dangerous and stupid.

If you can’t bring yourself to turn it off altogether, pop it on silent and whack it in the glove box. Let’s face it, even taking the most urgent of calls is useless if you’re lying at the side of the road with life threatening injuries 30 seconds after answering.

Don your pumps and sunnies

Even if you outfit doesn’t quite suit your Classic Converse, they are far safer to wear whilst driving than your summer wedges. That hot guy that pulls up alongside you can’t see your choice of footwear through your driver’s-side window anyway, so why wear them? Instead, fling them on your back seat and do a quick change before stepping out from behind the wheel.

Similarly, my other half insists on wearing sunglasses whilst driving (even though they are seriously ugly & make him look like the Terminator). The sun’s glare really bothers him, and given he drives for a living, I guess I should follow his lead on this one. So get yourself a cute pair of Tiffany rims and stow them in your glove box so you always have them to hand.

Get your child’s car seats fitted professionally

Have you ever tried to fit a child’s car seat yourself? If you have, you’ll know you need to qualify for Mensa to wrap your head around the instruction booklet. Even if feels secure, don’t trust it. Get yourself down your local Mothercare and get them to fit it for you. Not only will you have complete peace of mind when ferrying your urchins about, you’ll also save yourself from a booming migraine.