The Dangerous Mistakes Moms Make While Driving

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

A great many moms are sailing down streets and highways when we’re desperately sleep deprived, distracted and futzing with our phones (a habit that’s twice as dangerous as drunk driving). All the while, the lights of our lives—our babies!—are in the backseat (often in a carseat that’s installed wrong). And it’s happening all the time—moms log an average of 150 miles a week.

These are just a few of the alarming habits revealed in a study of more than 2,000 mothers with children under age 2 that American Baby conducted with Safe Kids Worldwide, an organization aimed at preventing childhood injuries. In fact, nearly 10 percent of new moms have been in a crash while driving with their baby. That’s almost three times higher than the rate among the general population, and rivals the crash rate of teens. One of several possible culprits: 64 percent of moms turn around in their seat to tend to their child instead of looking at the road ahead. For more eye-openers, check out this infographic.

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<a href="http://bit.ly/SCei8x" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.meredith.com/parents/images/blogs/Infographic.png" alt="Infographic from Parents.com" /></a>

I’ve been guilty of careless driving myself. When my firstborn, Julian, was nine months old, I missed a stop sign while heading to Costco. I was newly transplanted in the suburbs, rusty at driving after a decade in the city, and beyond delirious. I realized my mistake and screeched to a halt a few feet later, causing another car to rear-end us. No one was hurt—massive sigh of relief—but the accident shook me. I signed up for refresher driving lessons and vowed to be more aware on the road, especially while chaffeuring my most precious passenger.

It’s time to STOP, think and hit reverse on these risky habits. This year, let’s all resolve to be more mindful and focused each time we leave our driveway. We owe it to the little people strapped in behind us, and to every other driver on the road.

To learn more about slip-ups moms make behind the wheel, and simple ways to protect your family when you head out, read the feature about our exclusive survey in the January issue of American Baby, and watch our video below on the driving rules every mom should follow. The keys to a safer year are in your hand.

Parents Daily News Roundup

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Pacifiers May Have Emotional Consequences for Boys
Pacifiers may stunt the emotional development of baby boys by robbing them of the opportunity to try on facial expressions during infancy. (via Science Daily)

‘SimplyThick’ a Risk to All Infants, FDA Cautions
A product used to help infants with difficulty swallowing could increase their risk of developing a life-threatening illness, the Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday. (via CNN)

Longer Exercise Provides Added Benefit to Children’s Health
Twenty minutes of daily, vigorous physical activity over just three months can reduce a child’s risk of diabetes as well as his total body fat — including dangerous, deep abdominal fat — but 40 minutes works even better, researchers report. (via Science Daily)

Study Shows Almost Half of Children with Autism Victimized by Bullies
A recent study shows that children with autism are more than four times as likely to be the victims of bullying than their typically developing siblings. (via The Washington Post)

Teens Follow Parents Example in Texting and Driving
According to a recent study, 78% of teens have seen their parents text and drive. (via TODAY)