Here’s the deal; driving distractions are super dangerous. If you’ve got a baby, or a couple of little ones, you really need to keep these distractions in check.

Why is this more important if you have kids? A study by AAA Foundation found that kids are a major distraction in themselves. One AAA report (pdf) notes that small children are 4 times more distracting then adult passengers, and infants are 8 times more distracting.  Add that to other major distractions such as eating, talking on a cell phone, or flipping radio channels, and you’ve got an accident waiting to happen. Since you obviously aren’t going to get rid of the kids, get rid of the other distractions.

Distractions you can cut out: 

• Eating - Recent studies have reported that eating while driving has been found to be as distracting as reading a book!
• Cell phone use (both texting and talking).
• Changing your CDs.
• Reading a map.
• Car adjustments - fixing your seat, the AC, or digging through the glove compartment; distractions!
• Grooming (lipstick anyone?)
• Caring for kids - you know; searching for that dropped pacifier while driving. I’ve done stuff like this too - but it’s not safe.
• Freaking because of the kids - yes, I’ve also been there. The kid is asking you 9,321 questions, or kicking your seat, or your head may explode due to your baby’s crying; it’s all bad. Freak if you must, but pull over to do so. If you’re late, you’re late, but at least you and your kids will arrive safely.

Always pull over if you need to do something besides drive. I know, you’re busy. I know pulling over sounds like a waste of time. However, that same AAA report shown above says that 85% of accident victims reported distractions as a cause of their accident. For your safety, for your little one’s safety, cut those distractions down to size.