Many drivers choose to put a sticker on their bumper or rear windscreen that says “Child on board” or something similar. People buy these because they are worried that other drivers pose a threat and can be convinced to take a little more care by the sticker.
Yet, you could also argue that the stickers convey a second message: This driver may be distracted.
Children can be distracting
Young children can be highly distracting to the parent who is shuttling them around. So that can result in the parent being the one that other drivers need to watch out for.
Distraction makes crashing more likely. Whether it is physical, cognitive or visual distraction, it can all reduce a person’s ability to drive safely, thus increasing the crash risk for them, the children inside their vehicle and other road users.
Transporting children in the car is not something most parents can easily avoid. Being aware of it allows them to take measures to limit it. For example:
- Ensuring their kids are set before the journey starts. Thanksgiving is not far away, and that will require some long drives for many. Ensuring the kids have a bottle of water, some snacks and enough entertainment to last until the next break reduces the chance the kids start pestering the parent midway along a busy freeway.
- Explaining it to the kids. Not all children will be capable of avoiding distracting their parents on a journey, but explaining the dangers to them may help reduce how often it occurs. Setting some expectations can also help — for example, “When I say not right now, it’s because I need to concentrate on the road and I’ll answer you as soon as we stop at a light.”
Crashes involving children can be particularly distressing for all parties involved. Prompt legal guidance can help resolve the compensation issues that will need to be sorted afterward.
