Driving with children is virtually unavoidable for parents. They may have to take young children to the pediatrician. They may have to take elementary-age children to school every day. They may just have to run errands or drive to a family member’s house. Transporting kids is something that happens constantly.
However, it can also be quite dangerous. In fact, some studies allege that having children in the car is sometimes more distracting for drivers than if they were using cellphones. Texting and driving absolutely leads to car accidents, and having distracting children in the car can do the exact same thing.
Does this also apply to other passengers?
Yes, any passenger can be a distraction. A friend, coworker or family member who is talking to the driver is distracting them from the road.
But what’s often different with adult passengers is that they understand when they should stay silent. If things are more challenging, such as in heavy traffic or in poor weather conditions, adults are more likely to stay quiet and let the driver focus.
Children, however, are often only thinking about themselves and have not even considered the conditions that the driver is under. A child who wants a snack or a drink may endlessly pester their parent, even if their parent is actively trying to do something difficult, like merging onto a busy interstate during rush hour.
So it’s possible for children to be a distraction at the worst possible times, and this often leads to car accidents. Those who have suffered injuries need to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.