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2/13/13 blog post

risky behaviors behind the wheel

Turning off can be so hard – but where do you draw the line? I’m talking about turning off and putting down the phone in the car.

Recently, Safe Kids Worldwide partnered with American Baby to study behaviors on distracted driving among new moms. The findings of the study, which polled nearly 2,400 mothers, are featured in a special report titled, “Is Your Baby Safe on the Road?” in the January 2013 issue of American Baby and online at AmericanBaby.com/driving.

According to the survey, the attitudes of new moms reflect those of the general population: we think we’re safe drivers, but actually we engage in rather risky behaviors. In addition, nearly 10% of the surveyed mothers had been in a crash with their children. We all know that texting and talking on the phone while behind the wheel are dangerous…but why do we still do it?

My safety community colleague, Safe Kids Worldwide President and CEO Kate Carr, made a really great point that I fully understand. She says, “We get in the car, and we assume that whatever we were doing when we were sitting in our home or in our office can just carry forward while we’re driving.”

Infographic from Parents.com

I know for me, my brain doesn’t turn off in the car. I’m thinking about that e-mail I need to send when I get into work or the phone call I need to make. When really, I need to take a deep breath, put those thoughts aside and concentrate on driving.