Road safety takes on a whole new level of responsibility when you have children. You want to make sure you have the best car for your needs, you want the most comfort possible for your budget, and you want a car that’ll keep everyone safe while traveling.

Here are some tips on what to look for when car shopping for your family travels.

• Evaluate your needs. Many people opt for large SUVs when they have a new child, thinking they’ll need the space. In most cases, it’s overkill. You won’t need to haul much gear around for a few years, and the trunk of any small car is plenty for strollers and diaper bags.
• Count the doors. One mistake made by couples new to being parents is to opt for slick-looking two-door cars… but that doesn’t give them much back-seat access for lugging car seats in and out or strapping kids into boosters. Go for four doors; you’ll thank yourself!
• Check safety ratings. The car with the most bells and whistles isn’t always the sturdiest or safest on the road. You’ll find vehicle safety ratings at the National Transportation Safety Board or by searching Car and Driver’s great website.
• Pick a bright color. While black, silver, gold and white are nice colors for a car, they’re also hard to see in various environments, like sunny days, dark nights or snowy winters. Choose a brightly colored car so that other drivers can see you easily and well, no matter what the day’s weather!

Lastly, make sure that the back seat of the car you choose has ample space for a baby car seat or booster seat. Some back seats don’t offer much space and children can start to feel cramped once they hit toddlerhood. They don’t need tons of space and room, but they do need some! Hop in the backseat and see if you feel comfortable sitting there. If not, opt for a car with more space!