The Solution for Pregnant Drivers and Tall People

Collapsible Steering Wheel Offers More Room

So in most modern cars, the steering wheel and seats are so adjustable it can fit just about anyone.  However, if you're extremely tall (like me) or pregnant, there's a solution for you on the way.  

TRW Automotive is developing a collapsible steering wheel that retracts entirely into the dashboard.  No more struggles getting in and out of cars.  

Basically, the handles collapse around the column, which retracts into the dashboard.

By opening up more space in the car, the retractable steering wheel should make in car movement much more comfortable. The steering wheel automatically deploys into driving position when the driver starts the car.  

TRW says that aging populations and smaller cars were the motivation for the technology, but also specifically mentioned pregnant women as well.  Good idea to give them one less thing to be concerned about.  

"The key benefit is to make it much easier for elderly drivers or other drivers with reduced mobility to get in and out of the vehicle," says TRW development manager Manuel Poyant via Cnet. "Due to the significant growth of small city cars, this technology could open up the possibility for even smaller cabin designs."

Nice.  

TRW reports that manufacturers have shown interest in the technology and we could see it in vehicles within 5 years.  

Mom Tested, Mom Approved

MotherProof.com Tests Latest Vehicles For Child Safety 

For parents looking at new cars, MotherProof.com is doing the safety work for you.  The Cars.com affiliate site reviews new car as a concerned parent would.  More specifically they check how each vehicle handles car seats and safety precautions.  

"In the Car Seat Check, our testers install a rear-facing infant-safety seat, a convertible child-safety seat (forward- and rear-facing) and a high-back booster seat in various positions," said a Cars.com rep.  

In fact Cars.com editor Jennifer Newman is also a certified car-seat technician.  

With that in mind, let's see what they had to see about some of the newer West Herr cars:

2011 Subaru Forester

The 2011 Forester delivers on safety. It's been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To earn this safety award, a car must receive the top score of Good in front-, side-impact, rear and roof-strength crash tests as well as have a standard electronic stability system. 

Reviewer Courtney Messenbaugh said:

"Car seats fit well in the backseat and left plenty of legroom for the driver and front passenger when installed. I was able to fit my rear-facing infant-safety seat, a booster seat and a forward-facing convertible seat across the backseat."

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

In addition to the electronic stability system, the Grand Cherokee also has standard four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, anti-roll control, traction control, active head restraints, rear-wheel drive, a backup camera with rear sensors and six airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seat and side curtains for both rows.

Plus, most importantly for parents, Newman and the Car Seat check team were able to fit 3 car seats in it, so plenty of room for the kids! 

2011 Ford Explorer

Newman said:

"The lower Latch anchors in the third row are exposed and easy to use...In the third row, the booster seat fit well, with no problems. There are no seat bolsters to push the booster off-center. The seat belt buckles sit on stable bases that will be easy for kids to use."

So there you go, just a few West Herr cars that are mom approved.  For more visit MotherProof.com or just drop by West Herr for a test drive and safety check!

How To Survive A Road Trip With Children

Road Trip with KidsWe all love visiting our relatives or returning home for the holidays, but preventing our kids from killing each other while cooped up in the back seat  is a whole other matter. Traveling with your kids can be fun, but their attention span and the need for frequent potty stops can send even the calmest parent over the top. These tips are from parents like you who love our kids, and would like to keep it that way.

The Basics

• Start with a clean car: Sounds basic, but clutter causes stress, especially when you have the family car packed to the brim with clothing, car seats and snacks.
• Adjust the car seats: after months of use, kids car seats can become entangled or even loose. Properly secure the car seats following the manufacturer directions. Your children will thank you for it.Secure the car seats
• Pack the least needed items first: There is nothing worse than needing a diaper only to discover that you packed them 1st and they are buried all the way in the back. Hold off packing the most needed items till last, this way you know right where they are.
• Pack a special backpack:  for each child, with crayons, books, toys, activity sets, stickers, hand-held games-- including some new wrapped surprises for little kids. (But don't give out all the loot at once!) Tip from http://travelwithkids.about.com
• Pack most needed items within arm's reach: Snacks, tissues, hand sanitizer and special treats. When the children start to escalate, or need their nose wiped, it is just plain smart to have the solution at hand.
• Dress the kids comfortably: loose and comfortable cloths, help with road fatigue. This applies for the adults too.
  

While on the road

• Play Some Games: kids love to play road trip games, there are so many but we all love the basics like I Spy, the scavenger hunt, count the cars by color, are all popular.
  • Here is a site that lists the top 8 free road trip games
  • This site is a great resource for car travel games for all ages
• Plan frequent stops: We plan to stop every 2 hours at a minimum. Let everyone get out of the car, go to the bathroom. We bring a soccer ball and let the kids kick it around for few minutes at roadside parks. It always amazes me how a little fresh air and running around, helps them enjoy the trip.
• Crayon Map, with major landmarksMake a kids map: Before we travel, we help the kids make a map with crayons and colored paper, with the major cities along the way listed. This way they can follow along with the road signs, so they know where they are. "When my 8-year-old asks "Are we there yet?," I hand him the map and ask him to figure out how much longer we’ll be on the road. Knowing how to read a map is a valuable life skill, so it makes me happy that he’s learning, and he’s happier that he has a job to do." –Marcy from Rome, NY
  • Use the Rand McNally Road trip planner for the older kids
  • interesting article on how Google Maps has become a fun trip planner 
  • Another fun trip planner from free trip map, this will list hotels along the way
• A Warm Car Makes them Sleepy: My mother (of six children) let the car warm up a little when it was time to sleep. Kids naturally fall asleep. when they are tired and when its warm. Just make sure the driver has some Red Bull :)
• Stay over along the way:  If it is a long trip and you can afford to stop, consider spending the night somewhere along the way. 16 hours of driving is no fun for anyone, especially small children. Many of the less expensive hotels have pools or the kids eat free. This blog has a good list of Child Friendly Hotels
• DVD players and Portable Video Games can save your sanity: they may be expensive, but a good portible DVD can make a long trip more fun for your kids, and give you an hour or two of peace. In the months before your trip, don't play the new releases at home. Save them for the road trip, because a new movie will be that much more entertaining.
  
  While we think that the free family games are great, a portable video game can really entertain your kids. Again save that new game for the trip.
  Make sure you have car chargers.

While road trip is fun and quite frankly my favorite way to travel, a little preparation can make it an event your kids will love and talk about for year. Make it fun, and you'll have fun.