Distracted Driving

Are Kids More Distracting Than Cell Phones?

Researchers say YES, as reported by ABC News:

Here is a sobering summary of findings based on recent research:

• Children are 12 times more distracting to a driver than talking on a cell phone.¹
• During an average 16-minute car trip, drivers are distracted by their children for an average of 3 minutes and 22 seconds. In other words, because of their kids, parents are not paying attention to the road more than 20% of the time.¹
• Young moms are especially distracted. Coupled with the fatigue new mothers experience (sleeping an average of less than 5.5 hours per night), it’s not surprising that 10% of new moms have had an accident while driving with their baby. This is almost three times the normal accident rate.²
• One in five parents say they have had or almost had a car accident due to their children’s unsettled behavior.³
• 43% of parents admit to feeling anxious, irritable, or simply angry when traveling with their children.³
• In one study, 76.4% of drivers turned around to look at their kids or viewed them in the rear-view mirror.³
• 55% of parents admit to losing their temper with their kids on long car trips.³
• More than 40% of parents said that being stuck in a car with their kids is more stressful than work.⁴

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Distracted driving is serious business. To learn more about this dangerous and growing trend, follow these links:  

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Official US Website for Distracted Driving
• National Safety Council: Distracted Driving Website
• National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Distracted Driving
• Governors Highway Safety Association: Distracted Driving
• AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: Distracted Driving
• Parents.com: The Dangers of Distracted Driving
• Huffington Post: Distracted Driving: Are Backseat Kids Worse Than Texting?
• KRQE: Distracted Driving Quadruples with Kids

^{1 Monash University. http://monash.edu.au/news/show/children-more-distracting-than-mobile-phones
2 Safe Kids Worldwide and American Baby magazine. Hands Free Info. http://handsfreeinfo.com/studies-distracted-driving/
3 2011 Peugeot and OnePoll. www.sourcewire.com/news/66042/carstrophobic-parents-set-to-clash-with-kids-in-cars-as
4 Survey by GPS manufacturer TomTom. www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/children-on-long-car-trips-little-monsters-in-the-back-seat/story-e6freuzi-1226359376645}