Texting, Talking and Taking Risks Behind the Wheel

Have you even gotten behind that person who is going at least 15 miles above or below the speed limit, trying to stay in between the painted lines on the road and wonder, “What is wrong with this person in front of me?”  Then you pass them and realize that they’re on their cell phone, texting or otherwise distracted by whatever it is that they are doing besides driving.  Or, is this person you?

It is so easy to get distracted while driving with kids in the car. The cell phone rings or you get a text message and before you know it, you’re roped into a conversation.  Cell phones are not the only culprit, though; their just the distraction du jour currently under fire.  GPS systems, navigators, DVD players, game boys and the radio are among the many electronic distractions in the car.  Put these distractions together with fighting siblings, crying babies or that kid that just keeps asking, “are we there yet,” and you have a prescription for disaster. How many times have you operated one of these devices while you are in the midst of heavy traffic with your children in the car?  Is it all just part of the multi-tasking parent’s repertoire or are these risks that have become all too common on the road?