Backseat Distractions

Parents Don't Really Have Eyes on the Backs of Their Heads

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

Twenty-five percent of the 6.3 million automobile crashes that occur in the United States each year are caused by driver distraction or inattentiveness, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Inattentiveness is the fourth leading cause of fatal crashes. In addition, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children, NHTSA reports.

Distractions are everywhere. Noise, lights, people and even your own thoughts and stress can be a distraction. Add to these a demanding child sparking you to talk, discipline or focus on them in the backseat and you have the potential for disaster. "Parental instinct is an amazing thing," says Barbara Spangler, owner of Reflections Safety Mirrors in Newark, Ohio. "It causes us to love and protect our young at all costs, but it can also cause us to throw caution to the wind while driving on the interstate at 65 miles per hour. Children become demanding in the car because they are trying to communicate and all they can see is the back of their parent's head. In response, parents want to and will attempt to accommodate whatever need the child has or thinks he/she has. Though this instinctive response is natural, it can be a disaster waiting to happen even during a routine trip to the grocery."

One of the easiest ways to avoid backseat distraction would be removal of the children. But when that's not possible, keeping your eyes on them safely finishes a close second. "There are several different types of mirrors available enabling drivers to view the backseat without turning their eyes from the road," says Spangler. "When purchasing a mirror, look for quality. Choose one that attaches securely near the rearview mirror where your eyes are accustomed to going with a lens curvature allowing a clear view. [With safety mirrors], not only can you see the children but the children can see you. Children behave better when they know they can be seen."

"I am the father of three boys and have spent more time concentrating on what is going on in the backseat then on the road," says Adam Christian, a security officer from Asheville, N.C. "Mirrors that would allow me to see my children and them to see me without having to turn around is a great idea. I could focus my energy and concentration more on the road, where it should be anyway."

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• Transporting Toddlers
• Lessons From A Locked Car
• Car Seat Safety Tips
• Talk About It