Study says new moms among the most distracted drivers

New mothers aren't immune to the dangers of distracted driving. In fact, with the demands of driving with a newborn baby on board, new moms may be among the most distracted drivers on the road.

A recent survey of new moms that was conducted by American Baby and Safe Kids Worldwide  points out how prevalent distracted driving is among new moms. The key evidence is that while the majority of moms surveyed said they are being more cautious in their driving habits since the birth of their child, their answers to other survey questions implies the direct opposite.

In short, new moms are driving while fatigued (sleeping an average of 5 hours, 20 minutes per night), not paying attention to the speed limit, turning around to tend to the baby, three out of four moms are using their phones to text or call or read messages or emails, and doing other kinds of distracted behavior – all with baby on board.

Worse yet is the statistic that almost 10 percent of new moms surveyed had an accident with their baby while driving. That’s nearly three times the rate in the general population.

How to get around this problem is a complex matter, but a variety of experts, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Parents Magazine, and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, recommend these tips to help new moms avoid dangerous driving behavior:

Keep eyes on the road. The cardinal rule while driving is that you keep your eyes on the road at all times. When driving, that’s the activity that has to claim the driver's full attention and focus.

No texting, taking calls, checking email. The survey results showed that 78 percent of new moms talk on the phone while driving with baby on board and that 26 percent check email or text. Keep in mind that no message, text or call is worth jeopardizing baby’s life, the driver's, or anyone else who is driving on the road or a pedestrian in and around the car's field of travel.

Multi-tasking is not your friend.  There is a time and a place for everything and driving in the car is not the place to juggle multiple tasks.

Pick the right time to do errands. The best way to avoid the dangerous behavior of being distracted by a crying baby is to pick the right time to do errands.

Enlist help. Obviously there will be times when it is absolutely necessary to go out and do something that requires driving to get there. If possible, ask a friend or neighbor to watch the baby.

Eliminate distractions. Besides having baby in the car, there are numerous other distractions that can and will seek to grab the driver's attention. Succumbing to distraction increases the danger quotient. As much as possible, eliminate all the distractions that take concentration away from the road and driving safely.

No eating or drinking behind the wheel. Keep hands on the wheel and concentration on the task at-hand: driving. Save eating and drinking for at home, destination or when safely parked.

No turning around to tend to baby. The tendency to immediately turn to tend to a crying child may only take a few seconds, but can result in tragedy. Instead of risking disaster, pull off the road, where and when it is safe to do so, and tend to baby then. 

Get some more shut-eye. Many new moms have a serious lack of sleep, winding up feeling exhausted most of the time. Take frequent naps, when possible, but don’t get behind the wheel without sufficient sleep the night before.

Watch speed. It’s hard to be observant and adhere to speed limits and other traffic signs and signals when distracted by thoughts of what needs to be done and places yet to go. That few extra seconds saved by speeding won’t make that much of a difference in the time at home, but it can make the difference between life and death on the road.

Bottom line: Having a new baby is an exciting time, an opportunity for new mom and baby to grow together and share love and meaningful experiences. Part of the responsibility of a new parent to this child is to exercise caution and use good judgment when driving with baby in the car.

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Drivers race in Daytona 500 after 33 fans injured in speedway crash

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –  With the start of the Daytona 500 just hours away, NASCAR officials still have some cleaning up to do amid growing questions about fan safety.

The season opener will go off as planned Sunday less than 24 hours after at least 33 people were injured when a car flew into the fence during a NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway, sending a tire and large pieces of debris sailing into the stands.

"Just seeing the carnage on the racetrack, it was truly unbelievable," driver Justin Allgaier said.

The final-lap accident Saturday marred the second-tier Nationwide Series race on the eve of a spectacle often called the Super Bowl of motorsports. Late into the night, track workers were scrambling to repair a huge section of fence that separates fans from the high-speed track.

Speedway President Joie Chitwood III has a news conference scheduled for Sunday morning to give the latest update on repairs and any safety changes that could be made before the "Great American Race."

The 12-car crash began about 200 feet from the start-finish line as the front-runners approached the checkered flag. Leader Regan Smith attempted to block Brad Keselowski for the win, triggering a horrific pileup that could have been much worse.

The front end of Larson's No. 32 car was sheared off, and his burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence. Parts and pieces of his car sprayed into the stands, including a tire that cleared the top of the fence and landed midway up the spectator section closest to the track.

The 20-year-old Larson stood in shock a few feet from his car as fans in the stands waved frantically for help. Smoke from the burning engine briefly clouded the area, and emergency vehicles descended on the scene.

Ambulance sirens could be heard wailing behind the grandstands at a time the race winner would typically be doing celebratory burnouts.

"It was freaky. When I looked to my right, the accident happened," Rick Harpster of Orange Park said. "I looked over and I saw a tire fly straight over the fence into the stands, but after that I didn't see anything else. That was the worst thing I have seen, seeing that tire fly into the stands. I knew it was going to be severe."

Shannan Devine of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., was sitting about 250 feet from where the car smashed into the fence and could see plumes of smoke directly in front of her.

"I didn't know if there was a car on top of people. I didn't know what to think," she said. "I'm an emotional person and I immediately started to cry. It was very scary. Absolutely scary. I love the speed of the sport. But it's so dangerous."

Chitwood said 14 fans were treated on site and 14 others were taken to hospitals. Local officials said 19 people were taken to neighboring hospitals, including two who were in critical but stable condition.

Because of potential injuries, race winner Tony Stewart skipped the traditional victory celebration.

Stewart, who won for the 19th time at Daytona and seventh time in the last nine season-opening Nationwide races, was in no mood to celebrate.

"The important thing is what is going on on the frontstretch right now," said Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion. "We've always known, and since racing started, this is a dangerous sport. But it's hard. We assume that risk, but it's hard when the fans get caught up in it.

"So as much as we want to celebrate right now and as much as this is a big deal to us, I'm more worried about the drivers and the fans that are in the stands right now because that was ... I could see it all in my mirror, and it didn't look good from where I was at."

There were at least five stretchers carrying injured people out of the stands, and a helicopter flew overhead.

Officials turned their attention to the track and the wreckage after injured were treated.

A forklift plucked Larson's engine out of the fence, and workers carried the tire out of the stands.

It was a chaotic finish to a race that was stopped for nearly 20 minutes five laps from the finish by a 13-car accident that sent driver Michael Annett to a hospital. His Richard Petty Motorsports team said he would be held overnight with bruising to his chest.

The race resumed with three laps to go, and the final accident occurred with Smith trying to hold off Keselowski through the final turn.

"It's Daytona. You want to go for the win here," Smith said. "I don't know how you can play it any different, other than concede second place, and I wasn't willing to do that today. Our job is to put them in position to win, and it was, and it didn't work out."

As the cars began wrecking all around Smith and Keselowski, Stewart slid through for the win, but Larson plowed into Keselowski and his car was sent airborne into the fence. When Larson's car came to a stop, it was missing its entire front end. Larson, who made his Daytona debut this week, stood with his hands on his hips before finally making the mandatory trip to the care center.

"I took a couple big hits there and saw my engine was gone," Larson said. "Just hope everybody's all right."

It appeared fans were lined up along the fence when Larson's car got airborne. But Chitwood said there was a buffer, adding there would be no changes to the seating before the Daytona 500.

"We don't anticipate moving any of our fans," Chitwood said. "We had our safety protocols in place. Our security maintained a buffer that separates the fans from the fencing area. With the fencing being prepared tonight to our safety protocols, we expect to go racing tomorrow with no changes."

Keselowski watched a replay of the accident and said it could cast a pall on the Daytona 500.

"I think until we know exactly the statuses of everyone involved, it's hard to lock yourself into the 500," Keselowski said. "Hopefully, we'll know soon and hopefully everyone's OK. And if that's the case, we'll staring focusing on Sunday."

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