1 in 10 new moms have been in a crash with their baby, according to this article from Parents magazine. 3 out of 4 moms talk on the phone while driving with their baby which makes them 4 times more likely to crash. According to the article, moms drive on less sleep than truckers! It can be extremely dangerous for a new mother to drive with so many distractions around. Luckily, Parents magazine has provided us with some helpful tips for new moms on how to drive safely with a baby in the car:
- Never drive if you are too tired. It not only puts you and your child at risk, but also other drivers around you.
- Your child’s feet should be rear-facing while in the car seat until they are 2 years old.
- Put your phone in your purse and put your purse in the backseat. Smartphone use increases your risk of crashing by 4 to 8 times. This also ensures that you will never forget your child in the backseat.
- Take down any mirror you may have in the backseat used to keep an eye on your child. This will keep you from checking on them which causes you to take your eyes off the road, putting you at risk of a crash.
- Don’t clutter up your backseat with toys and stuffed animals. In the event of a crash, all the toys and clutter that is in the backseat will fly through the car at the same speed you are traveling at.
- Don’t deal with a crying child while you are driving. Pull over to a safe location and address your baby’s needs.
If you and your child have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact us for a free appraisal.