Kids are our little bundles of joy that help bring a positive attitude from anybody. That is one of the reasons why you would do anything to be with your kids whenever you can, even when travelling. It is fun to go and see places with your kids, making you want to go out on weekend trips with your kids. However no matter how adorable your kids are, they are definitely one big driving distraction for you. According to the study made by United Kingdom’s Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), revealed that their own children was the top source of distraction while driving along with the following other reasons:

- Using mobile phones to make or receive a call, send or receive a text messages, or checking on one’s social media account

- Tinkering with one’s in-car entertainment system

- Too much attention given to the use of satellite navigation systems

- Seeing attractive pedestrians on the road

- Having backseat drivers or loud passengers, and more

One United States insurance group also claimed that a daydreaming driver can also distract one, especially when one is driving.

Drivers Gone Bad

According to IAM chief executive Simon Best, every driver, no matter how good they are, will most likely develop bad habits. The thing is, most drivers do not take distractions seriously as they believe that they can multitask. Sadly, for every second that a driver does try to multitask, these motorist end up driving “effectively blind” for a certain speed that covers a certain distance. Best believes that such is enough distance and time for motor vehicle accidents to happen. The more drivers who develop these negative habits, the greater the possibilities of destruction, injuries, and loss of lives are.

Minimizing Distractions

According to best, learning how to look upon one’s driving style is a great key to reduce distractions as well as their impact. Like a skill, one’s driving needs to be continuously evaluated so that it could be improved. In as far as kids being the top source of distraction, here are some of the tips provided by the IAM:

- Keep kids occupied with games that promote quiet behavior. These games have to be the ones who don’t get the driver involved

- Bring in-car entertainment items like portable video game consoles, DVD players and tablets. These will keep the kids occupied. Headphones will also keep everything quiet.

- Bring food and drinks to keep the kids full.

- Come up with stops to give you and the kids break. This will help you relaxed and sharp, while giving your kids ample time to do some stretching.

- Bring plastic bags for travel sickness and another adult to look after the children in the vehicle.