Study: Children Passengers in Cars 12 Times More Distracting Than Using Cellphones While Driving

[TOMapleLaughs]

To many parents, it may be confirmation of something they have long suspected. A new study suggests that children pose a greater distraction to drivers than using a mobile telephone at the wheel.

The research involved an analysis of 12 families over a period of three weeks, in which all their car journeys were monitored by four cameras installed in their vehicle.

The families taking part had an average of two children, between 1-8 years of age. In total, 92 trips were analysed by the researchers, looking for any evidence of potentially distracting activity undertaken by the driver, such as looking away from the road for more than two seconds.

In 90 of the 92 trips studied, the team detected distracting activity on the part of the motorist, with the average parent taking their eyes off the road for three minutes and 22 seconds, during a 16 minute trip.

The video recordings showed that children travelling in the rear seats accounted for 12 per cent of all potentially distracting activity, compared to mobile phones, which were responsible for one per cent.

Fathers were more likely to engage in distracting activities with their children and were distracted for longer periods than their mothers.

The most frequent types of distractions included turning to look at the child in the rear seat or watching them in a rear-view mirror (76.4 per cent), engaging in conversation with the child (16 per cent), assisting the child in some way, such as handing them food or drinks, (seven per cent) or playing with the child (1 per cent).

The study found that the presence of a front seat passenger did not significantly affect the way in which drivers engaged in potentially distracting child-related activities.

The research was conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, in Melbourne, Australia, where rules regarding the use of mobile phones while driving are similar to those in the UK, with hands free phones permitted.

The team say the results suggest that children are 12 times more distracting to motorists than talking on a mobile phone.

Dr Judith Charlton, an associate director of the centre, said: “The costs of distracted driving are undeniable. One major and previously unrecognised distraction is kids in the back seat.”

The research comes just days after Brake, the road safety campaigners, supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers, called for tougher rules on mobile phones in cars, with a ban on hands-free devices, as well as hand-held ones. The charity also called for the penalty for calling or texting behind the wheel to be increased from £100 to somewhere between £500 and £1,000.

But Dr Charlton suggested that while the risks of distraction during driving are becoming increasingly well known, motorists often overlooked children as a source of the problem. She added that her research indicated there was a need for more education on the issue. Her team have now launched a larger study, involving 50 families.

The research comes just months after Norland College, the British nanny school, was involved in the launch of Nanny Drive iQ, a specialist driving school to teach childcare professionals techniques about driving with children.

Sarah Rowley, from the driving school, said: “Parents expect those who care for their children to have relevant qualifications, but often let a carer or nanny drive off with their children without knowing how skilled and confident they are behind the wheel.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/10479254/Children-in-cars-more-distracting-than-mobiles.html

So either cops should start issuing tickets to those drivers with children passengers, or they should probably stop issuing tickets to those using mobiles while driving.

*Texting while driving, as opposed to talking, i am assuming would be substantially more distracting. And texting while driving with multiple children passengers in freeway traffic? You might as well play russian roulette.

Either way, it appears that cops issuing tickets for talking on a cell while driving is nothing more than a cash grab. No more distracting than decades-old habits, like eating some fast food while driving.

[inane]

ban children.

[goalie13]

For cellphones you can get a hands-free device. Now we just need a hands-free device to deal with the children.

Cone of silence?

I'm all good with the no cellphone while driving laws. My sister got sideswiped by a lady that dropped her phone and was trying to retrieve it. A hands-free device is about half the cost of the ticket. I don't think of it as a cash-grab, more of a voluntary tax.

[hudson bay rules]

ban children.

[elvis15]

It's not illegal to be in a conversation, which I often do with my niece and nephew while in the car, or make a phone call, which I also do often enough with my wife. The trick is if you're able to keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, then it's not enough of a distraction for the majority of people to be considered illegal.

Having said that, a number of drivers are bad enough that any distraction is a recipe for trouble so common sense should dictate that each driver does what he or she can (while staying within the law) to remove distractions while in the car.

[Armada]

For cellphones you can get a hands-free device. Now we just need a hands-free device to deal with the children.

Cone of silence?

I'm all good with the no cellphone while driving laws. My sister got sideswiped by a lady that dropped her phone and was trying to retrieve it. A hands-free device is about half the cost of the ticket. I don't think of it as a cash-grab, more of a voluntary tax.

I've said this countless of times.

Holding a cellphone and not holding a cellphone are equally distracting. Doesn't matter how you talk to someone you'll always be distracted?

If I can eat with one hand or smoke and talk to someone on my hands free device, what's the difference between that and holding a phone while talking?

Inconsistent law with no justification why it should be illegal.

[Heretic]

http://www.telegraph...an-mobiles.html

So either cops should start issuing tickets to those drivers with children passengers, or they should probably stop issuing tickets to those using mobiles while driving.

*Texting while driving, as opposed to talking, i am assuming would be substantially more distracting. And texting while driving with multiple children passengers in freeway traffic? You might as well play russian roulette.

Either way, it appears that cops issuing tickets for talking on a cell while driving is nothing more than a cash grab. No more distracting than decades-old habits, like eating some fast food while driving.

Sorry, I disagree...cell phones, in particular texting, models addictive behaviour, whereas managing kids doesn't require your full attention.

So no, it's not a cash grab, give me a break and just stop using your phone in your car or trying to make an excuse for it.

Your argument is no different than pro gun people saying fast food kills people so ban fast food. etc...etc...etc...

[sam13371337]

Sorry, I disagree...cell phones, in particular texting, models addictive behaviour, whereas managing kids doesn't require your full attention.

So no, it's not a cash grab, give me a break and just stop using your phone in your car or trying to make an excuse for it.

Your argument is no different than pro gun people saying fast food kills people so ban fast food. etc...etc...etc...

do you have any type of source based on scientific research that sais cellphones are more distracting then a screaming child in the back??

or is it merely your opinion???

nothing like concerned citizens justifying police cash grabs.... This coming from a Calgary resident (AKA. photo radar capital of earth)

[Heretic]

do you have any type of source based on scientific research that sais cellphones are more distracting then a screaming child in the back??

or is it merely your opinion???

nothing like concerned citizens justifying police cash grabs.... This coming from a Calgary resident (AKA. photo radar capital of earth)

Experience and opinion and logic and reason.

There's no "scientific" research on children being more distracting than cell phones.

As far as your "photo radar" comment - simple and logical conclusion - DON"T SPEED.

[goalie13]

As far as your "photo radar" comment - simple and logical conclusion - DON"T SPEED.

I have to back him up a little bit on the Calgary photo radar comment.

I was once nailed on the Deerfoot with a photo radar ticket. I saw the van and made sure I wasn't speeding. It turns out, it was technically a construction zone even though we were so far past the construction I had no idea it was still a construction zone.

I've heard quite a few times that it's a regular strategy of the Calgary police. To me, that's more of a cash grab.

[Sanford]

If you crash while you're talking on a cellphone, it's your own fault- you are inept at driving. Don't blame your cellphone.

[Heretic]

I have to back him up a little bit on the Calgary photo radar comment.

I was once nailed on the Deerfoot with a photo radar ticket. I saw the van and made sure I wasn't speeding. It turns out, it was technically a construction zone even though we were so far past the construction I had no idea it was still a construction zone.

I've heard quite a few times that it's a regular strategy of the Calgary police. To me, that's more of a cash grab.

That I can understand - specially if the construction zones aren't marked very well...in that case, you could have tried to fight it...but yeah...that takes time....

[goalie13]

That I can understand - specially if the construction zones aren't marked very well...in that case, you could have tried to fight it...but yeah...that takes time....

I considered it, but the way I understand it, if you fight a photo radar ticket and lose, they can assign the points to your license because you admitted you were the driver.

If you simply pay the fine, it remains an infraction against the vehicle and no points.

Technically I was in the construction zone so I sucked it up and paid the fine. I just found it was dirty the way they had the construction zone extended so far past the construction and a photo radar van parked at the very end.

[Heretic]

I considered it, but the way I understand it, if you fight a photo radar ticket and lose, they can assign the points to your license because you admitted you were the driver.

If you simply pay the fine, it remains an infraction against the vehicle and no points.

Technically I was in the construction zone so I sucked it up and paid the fine. I just found it was dirty the way they had the construction zone extended so far past the construction and a photo radar van parked at the very end.

Yeah...usually they have them at the start - after all, it's not like there's any construction going on at the end of the "zone"....

[Lychees]

I don't get the whole mantra behind "hands-free"

By that logic, shouldn't doing your make-up, eating, heck I've seen someone doing LAUNDRY, while driving be banned?

How about searching for radio stations? Your eyes are off the road if you're looking for stations whilst driving. Same with just changing music if your car has an MP3 stations inside that doesn't have one of the track changers on the wheel.

How about impose a blanket ban on those who try to text/call & drive and get into an accident permanently, guarantee those who cannot multitask and even those who don't want to lose their license will take the risk

edit:

Don't get me started about construction zones, I've had to fight 3 tickets because pig cops try to ticket me while driving through a construction zone at the flow of traffic, on a holiday (clearly NO construction going on). On a related note when the hell are they gonna finish the construction on highway 1

[TOMapleLaughs]

Sorry, I disagree...cell phones, in particular texting, models addictive behaviour, whereas managing kids doesn't require your full attention.

So no, it's not a cash grab, give me a break and just stop using your phone in your car or trying to make an excuse for it.

Your argument is no different than pro gun people saying fast food kills people so ban fast food. etc...etc...etc...

The study the OP went on about seems to discredit this opinion. At least when referring to talking on a phone. I agree with it, as there are times when kids do things that can take your eyes off the road, while talking on a phone can't. Texting however, can definitely take your eyes off the road.

So if it's not all that distracting, talking on a phone while driving that is, then it is indeed a cash crab to issue tickets for it, imho. (Most traffic tickets being issued by cops are mere cash grabs, imho. Some 'help', yes, but most do not.)

Your pro gun argument comparison is irrelevant as the context is related to driving distractions only.

[Tre Mac]

I still use my cel while driving usually to pick up Nandos on the way home. And now i am hungry, dam you all.

[I'm Your Huckleberry]

http://www.telegraph...an-mobiles.html

So either cops should start issuing tickets to those drivers with children passengers, or they should probably stop issuing tickets to those using mobiles while driving.

*Texting while driving, as opposed to talking, i am assuming would be substantially more distracting. And texting while driving with multiple children passengers in freeway traffic? You might as well play russian roulette.

Either way, it appears that cops issuing tickets for talking on a cell while driving is nothing more than a cash grab. No more distracting than decades-old habits, like eating some fast food while driving.

So just because it is impossible to ban one distraction, we shouldn't try to minimize other distractions? Dat logic.

[Heretic]

The study the OP went on about seems to discredit this opinion. At least when referring to talking on a phone. I agree with it, as there are times when kids do things that can take your eyes off the road, while talking on a phone can't. Texting however, can definitely take your eyes off the road.

So if it's not all that distracting, talking on a phone while driving that is, then it is indeed a cash crab to issue tickets for it, imho. (Most traffic tickets being issued by cops are mere cash grabs, imho. Some 'help', yes, but most do not.)

Your pro gun argument comparison is irrelevant as the context is related to driving distractions only.

Tell that to all the innocent people who have died because of people talking/texting on their cell phones while driving.

The pro gun is relevant insomuch is it is a similar comparison.

The Manatee King hit it the nail on the head though. Plus 1.

[TOMapleLaughs]

So just because it is impossible to ban one distraction, we shouldn't try to minimize other distractions? Dat logic.

Or maybe talking on a cellphone was never all that much of a distraction.

imho It's all been hype because cops can see a cellphone held up to your face and think 'ticket' instantly, where more legit distractions like kids acting up, eating food, texting, or other lap-related activities are harder to prove.

That being said, look forward to more outrageous tech-related fines in the future.