Driving While Texting, Eating…Breastfeeding?

Almost everyone has seen someone, or been guilty of, using a cell phone while driving. Most people have been in a rush and have eaten meals behind their wheel too. Both of these activities compromise the driver’s ability to react and safely navigate their vehicle. The risk for a car accident increases tremendously when hands are off the steering wheel, the driver’s mind is focusing on responding to a text or trying not to spill a soda, plus they lose eye contact with the road. According to the DMV, eighty percent of crashes are due to a distracted driver.

One can only imagine the risks involved when a woman decides to breastfeed while she is driving. A Sun Sentinel correspondent, Michael Turnbell, wrote a recent article about bizarre driving habits witnessed by other drivers. One account in Florida involved a woman driving an SUV while simultaneously breastfeeding an infant. Many laws are being broken by this woman’s alleged actions and by anyone who behaves in such a way that endangers the life of a child. Children, depending on their age and size, are required by law to be fastened safely in child car seat. It is mandatory for infants to be secured in a child safety seat. The celebrity snafu several years ago that involved Britney Spears driving with one of her sons on her lap caused a heated dialogue about negligent parental care.

Driving safer means maintaining healthy habits. How can you prevent causing a car accident? Make better choices everyday and they will add up. Encourage your friends and family to practice better healthy driving habits.

* Turn off your cell phone while driving.
* Stop and take time to eat meals when you’re not behind the wheel.
* Don’t drive when you’re tired.
* Make sure children are safely buckled in appropriate car seats.

If you do practice good driving skills and were involved in an accident because of another driver or party’s negligence, you should be compensated. Brent Adams & Associates’ NC car accident attorneys will review your case confidentially and for free. Car accident lawyers in Raleigh, Fayetteville and Dunn help victims and the families of victims pursue injury claims to recover costs from lost wages and medical expenses, and in some cases, funeral costs and wrongful death claims. Call 800.849.5931 to schedule your NC injury claim review.