Teens are often distracted drivers, but be careful not to assume that they’re the only age group contributing to this issue, or even the main one. The truth is that the people you expect to be the least distracted — parents with their young children in the car — may actually have the greatest risk of distraction.
The reason we assume parents take safe driving so seriously is that, naturally, they love their kids and want to keep them safe. Ironically, though, the same exact reason — having kids in the car — can be what causes the distraction.
A driver or a flight attendant?
When asked about it, one woman referred to herself as a flight attendant, noting that she was constantly giving the children:
- Drinks
- Snacks
- Toys
- Scoldings
The problem is that the kids needed, or thought they needed, quite a lot of assistance on every drive. To keep children happy in the car, parents often find themselves trying to do whatever those children ask, even if that means driving with their knees, turning away from the road and focusing on everything but the task at hand.
It’s not that much better for parents who make it a goal not to do this. If they refuse to give the children what they want, then those children may resort to crying, complaining or even screaming, all of which can be just as distracting.
Seeking compensation if you get injured
It’s hard for parents to avoid distraction, and they cause car accidents as a result. If you get injured in one of these accidents, make sure that you are well aware of the legal rights you have to seek compensation.
