The news may be filled with stories about distracted teen drivers, but a new study suggests adults may be just as bad.
Researchers surveyed more than 600 parents to find out what distractions they face while driving with their kids, whether they use age-appropriate child restraints and if they'd ever been in an accident.
Then, the researchers drilled deeper, asking how often the parents engaged in 10 specific behaviors when their kids were in the car. Options included talking on the phone, texting, getting directions, grooming, changing the music, eating and picking up a toy.
Nearly 90% of the parents admitted that they'd been distracted by technology while driving their kids at least once during the past month. Most said they were guilty of engaging in 4 of the distractions on the list.
Not surprisingly, those who engaged in distracting behaviors were more likely to report having been in a car accident, as well. Parents who reported always wearing a seat belt were significantly more likely to report their child always uses the age-appropriate restraint.
I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the health news that matters to you.
Source: www.nlm.nih.gov
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