Parents can be dangerous drivers

Distracted driving is a major problem among first-time mothers, according to a study.

2013-03-23

March 23, 2013 (Press-News.org) Parents can be dangerous drivers

All it takes is a cry, a giggle, a dropped toy or pacifier. If you are a motorist who routinely transports your kids, you may find your loved ones as a distraction on the road. Nevertheless, it is important to keep your attention on the task of driving.

According to Distraction.gov, 3,331 people were killed in car accidents involving a distracted driver in 2011. Furthermore, an additional 387,000 individuals were injured in motor vehicle crashes caused by inattentive motorists in this same year.

A study from the Safe Kids Worldwide reports that a growing number of new moms give in to distractions behind the wheel. While many associate inattentive driving with technology-fanatic teens, the research suggests that 10 percent of mothers surveyed had been in at least one crash while driving with their young one. Furthermore, almost 80 percent of mothers with children under the age of two confessed to talking on the phone while operating a vehicle.

With the increasing development of cellphone technology, safety advocates around the country have recognized the potential distractions of electronic devices. For example, in North Carolina, school bus drivers and novice drivers in the state are prohibited from using cellphones (handheld or hands-free) while driving. Furthermore, all motorists are prohibited from texting while driving. However, while technology has a simple on-off switch, children do not. Unfortunately, such laws do not address the poor road habits that are associated with transporting children in a vehicle.

While your children's needs are undeniably important, so is their safety. If you deflect your attention from driving, you risk the safety of your children, other motorists and their passengers. You also risk your own safety, which cannot be compromised as a parent. If an issue arrives, it is best to remain calm and focused on the road. At a suitable time, you can pull over to a complete stop, exit the vehicle and tend to the issue. It is important to be patient. In most cases, your child's issue is probably minor.

While there may not be an immediate solution to distracted driving issues that result from children in the back seat, in the meantime, it is the reasonability of motorists to operate vehicles responsibly.

If you or a loved one has been injured by an inattentive motorist, contact a knowledgeable personal injury law attorney. A lawyer can help investigate the crash and evaluate any legal rights of recovery.

Article provided by Charles G. Monnett III & Associates
Visit us at www.carolinalaw.com

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