Driving distraction happens to everyone, from a young person using their cellphone to an elderly person listening to the radio. But for parents, there’s a significant chance that they could become distracted behind the wheel, and they need to understand some of the inherent risks they face.
The problem is that parents often have to drive with their children in the vehicle. Some studies claim that children are 12 times as distracting as phones. This means that having the kids in the car could lead to a serious car accident—but it’s a distraction that parents may feel they cannot avoid since they have no choice but to drive with their children at least part of the time.
Why are children so distracting?
The problem, in part, is that children are used to their parents doing things for them. So they may distract a driver simply by asking for toys, snacks or drinks. Strapped into a child safety seat, they have no ability to get these things for themselves, but they’re distracting for the parent who is trying to hand out items while also driving the vehicle.
On top of that, children can be distracting even if they’re not directly interacting with the adult. Two kids who are having a loud conversation in the car could be just as distracting as the radio. If the parent has a baby in the car who starts to fuss or cry, parents are hardwired to respond to the sound—even if they know they need to stay focused on the road until they arrive at their destination.
Have you been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted parent? If so, you need to know how to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs.