Do not let your children drive you to distraction

Having small children in the car can significantly increase the risk of distracted driving.

Human error contributes to eight out of every ten road accidents in South Africa. Among these errors, distracted driving – such as tending to the needs of small children – emerges as a leading cause, says Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King Price Insurance.

Children are known to be 12 times more distracting to drivers than talking on a cell phone.

During an average 16-minute car trip, parents are distracted by their children for over 20% of the time, underscoring the challenges faced by moms, who may also be juggling sleepless nights and the demands of parenting.

In fact, 10% of new moms have had an accident while driving with their babies.

Studies show that texting while driving increases the likelihood of an accident by 23 times, while simply dialling a number makes drivers six times more prone to having an accident.

Photo: Pexels/Roman Pohorecki

Using phones while driving is not only illegal, but also incredibly distracting. A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study shows that texting while driving increases the likelihood of an accident by 23 times, while simply dialling a number makes drivers six times more prone to having an accident.

Also, the reaction times of texting drivers are slower (35%) than that of drunk drivers (12%), and even reading a WhatsApp message can lead to disaster. It takes five seconds to read an average message and, if you are driving at 90 km/h, is the equivalent of driving the length of a rugby field with your eyes closed.

Unlike a text message, a child’s needs cannot always be ignored. Given every parent’s natural urge to care for their children, it is easy to understand how parents may focus their eyes and attention on the back seat instead of the road.

Tending to the needs of little children can be a distraction when driving.

Photo: Pexels/kampus-production

Van Vuuren offers the following tips for driving with small children in the car:

• Plan ahead: Ensure that everything your child may need is easily accessible and within reach to minimise the need to divert your attention from the road.
• Put their needs on hold: If possible, wait until you reach your destination to address your child’s needs, prioritising safety over immediate gratification.
• Pull over: Only pull over when absolutely necessary and in a safe location, such as a rest stop or parking lot, to avoid unnecessary risks.
• Educate your children on car safety: Teach your children about the importance of behaving in the car, to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
• Keep your eyes on the road: Set a good example for your children by avoiding distractions and focusing on safe driving habits.

“South Africa’s roads are already dangerous, with potholes, traffic lights being out due to load shedding, and pedestrians crossing. If you add distractions to the mix, you are simply creating an unbearable level of risk – for you, your passengers and children, and other road users,” Van Vuuren concludes.