Infants can be a dangerous driving distraction

On Behalf of | Jan 21, 2025 | Car Accidents |

It is now common knowledge that distracted driving can swiftly lead to deadly consequences. Therefore, if you are driving with a very young baby in the back, know that even taking a moment to check on an infant can easily lead to serious collisions. 

Driving with an infant in the car requires heightened focus and caution, but many parents and caregivers underestimate how distracting an infant can be while behind the wheel. A crying baby, dropped pacifier or spilled bottle can easily draw a driver’s attention away from the road, increasing the risk of accidents. 

The problem and potential solutions to mitigate risk 

A crying baby can be incredibly stressful for a driver, especially if the infant cannot be immediately soothed. This can lead to a driver turning around, reaching back or even pulling over unsafely to comfort the upset child. Or, drivers may attempt to hand a bottle, toy or pacifier to a fussy infant while driving. This action diverts attention from the road and often involves taking at least one hand off the steering wheel.

Some drivers even try to multitask by feeding their baby or playing games to keep them calm, both of which compromise road safety. To add to the inherent risk of such choices, rear-facing car seats, while necessary for safety, make it more difficult for drivers to monitor their babies. This can cause drivers to repeatedly glance back, taking their eyes off the road.

Now that the danger is clear, if you’re a parent or a caregiver of an infant, consider the following tips to minimize your risk of baby-inspired distracted driving choices:

  • Prepare Ahead of Time: Ensure your baby is fed, changed and comfortable before hitting the road
  • Use a Mirror: Install a baby mirror to monitor your infant without turning your head
  • Secure Essentials: Keep bottles, pacifiers and toys within arm’s reach to avoid fumbling for them while driving.
  • Pull Over Safely: If your infant needs immediate attention, find a safe place to stop rather than addressing the issue while driving.
  • Avoid Multitasking: Focus solely on driving and resist the urge to feed or entertain your baby while your car is in motion.

Infants are precious cargo, but they can also be a significant driving distraction. As such, you may need to think ahead to keep them – and yourself and others around you – safe while traveling.