The Department of Health and Human Services offers the following guidelines for driving safely with a child in the car: make sure the child is in an age-appropriate car seat or booster seat (and always wear a seatbelt yourself); never drive while impaired (alcohol, drugs, medication, or drowsy); don’t text and drive; keep your eyes on the road; don’t speed; drive according to road conditions; and maintain a three-second distance behind the car traveling in front of yours. Health and Human Services, January 2023