When it comes to distracted driving, those who text behind the wheel often get the brunt of the blame. And it is true that smartphones are perhaps the biggest source of in-car distraction, leading to many accidents. But they are not the only form of distraction, and there are those who argue that parents struggling to manage their children while they’re on the road are just as dangerous as texters.
A child’s demands can be a huge source of distractions
The problem is that children often have a lot of needs, and they demand instant results. They don’t care that a parent is driving. They’ll whine, complain and cry until they get what they want anyway. It’s easy enough for an outsider to say that the parents should just ignore the children until they get home, and that’s true, but it’s a lot harder in practice. As a result, parents end up:
- Turning around to talk to the children
- Driving with their knees to free up their hands
- Giving out snacks and drinks
- Handing out toys, phones, tablets, music players and other devices
- Picking up items that the children dropped on the floor
- Searching for their favorite songs on the radio or the phone
- Telling the children to quiet down or verbally scolding them
On a short trip home from school, parents may be able to ignore these issues. On a long drive, though, it gets to be very distracting.
Have you been injured by a distracted driver?
If you have gotten injured in an accident caused by a distracted parent, be sure you know how to seek compensation. Remember: The insurance company is not your friend. An attorney can make sure your interests are protected.