The distraction of cellphones is well-known in the car. Drivers who try to use their phones are in violation of the law and they are increasing the odds that they will cause a car accident. It’s dangerous to text and drive, talk on the phone, take pictures, use social media and anything else. It’s even dangerous to use your phone as a GPS.
However, for all these issues with cellphones, there may be a bigger problem that many drivers face. Some claim that having children in the car can be more distracting than using a phone. At the very least, it is a similar distraction that pulls a driver’s attention away from the road.
Why does this happen?
Distraction happens for different reasons, often depending on the age of the child. For example, an infant may simply cry and fuss, and parents have to give them a bottle or a pacifier. An older child may ask for snacks or tell their parents to pick up toys that they’ve dropped on the ground. Children often have numerous demands that they can’t meet on their own because they are strapped into child safety seats, so they ask their parents for assistance.
Part of the issue is also that it’s harder for parents to ignore this type of distraction than something else. A driver who feels like their phone has gotten to be a serious distraction could always choose to put it down. But if there’s a crying baby in the car, the parent can’t necessarily get them to stop, so the distraction remains until they arrive at their destination.
Have you been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver? If you have, be sure you know about all of your legal options to seek compensation.