Carpooling 101

While it’s not often thought of as such, a car pool is just as much a team effort as the soccer games we shuttle our kids to. Just like a sport, a car pool involves a group of people working together to reach a common goal – in this case, carting a clutch of kids from Point A to Point B, promptly and safely. Hallmarks of a successful car pool are dedicated captains (drivers), a good game plan, and sportsmanlike conduct by all players (kids and parents alike). To qualify for participation, you simply need to be reliable, respectful and – above all else – committed to safety. 

The Game Plan

The first step in organizing a car pool is finding parents in your area who need to get their kids to and/or from the same place at the same time. After identifying interested parties, hold a meeting with all the parents to discuss and agree on the following:

• Pickup times and locations.

• Driving route. It’s a good idea to maintain a routine, with all parents driving the same basic route. In case of emergency, other parents will know where to find you.

• Driver schedules, printed and distributed to all members.

• Contingency plans. This is important in case of sudden changes in driving schedules (if a driver can’t make a day, it’s his or her responsibility to swap with someone else).

• Vacation dates and arrangements.

• Emergency contact information and procedures. Make sure that these are distributed to all participants.

• Late policy. Establish rules for latecomers and decide how long to wait (five minutes is standard).

Rules of Game

A car pool is a little self-contained society, with kids and adults of different temperaments thrown together in a confined space. To make the ride enjoyable and safe for all participants, every member of a car pool should understand and abide by the rules.

• Be on time. “The number one rule of carpooling is ‘don’t be late,’” says Dawn Carrington. With three kids involved in soccer, ballet, swimming and Cub Scouts, Carrington has become a car-pool veteran. “If you’re late, you’re out,” she says. “It’s just not acceptable. If you’re the kind of person who is always running late, don’t volunteer to drive for a car pool. Think of other ways you can contribute, such as paying for gas, typing up driver schedules or baby-sitting.”

Likewise, Carrington says, “Kids should be ready and waiting for you when you arrive. You shouldn’t have to go to the door to get them.”