It is normal to carry passengers in your car. Yet doing so can make your journey more dangerous, just as it can for other drivers carrying their passengers.
A driver will ultimately take the blame for most crashes because they are the ones in charge of the vehicle. They need to manage their passengers to avoid distraction. Nevertheless, passenger distraction is a common problem. Here are some examples.
Kids fighting
You get home after Thanksgiving and swear this is the last time you make such a long drive to see family. Your children spent the whole way back arguing with each other over the tiniest of things. It’s not that they dislike each other, it’s just that they find long drives boring and were tired after all the celebrations. It can be hard to ignore your dueling backseat passengers, and it may seem impossible to get them to behave. However, if their behavior distracts you, it puts you all at risk.
Babies crying
It’s not your baby’s fault that they cry when you are driving. Until they learn to speak, it is often their only way of communicating when they can’t see you face to face. It does not matter whether they cry because they are tired, hungry or feel abandoned – you may find it hard to ignore them. However, giving them attention reduces your ability to keep your attention on the road.
Adults talking with you
It does not matter whether it is your friend gossiping about work, your partner discussing plans or your parent back-seat driving. Anyone talking to you or at you can take up your concentration, leaving you less for the road.
As a driver, your priority is to get everyone to their destination safely, so don’t be afraid to tell passengers to be quiet for a minute or ignore them so you can concentrate on the traffic. Other drivers may not be so careful and could cause a crash that leaves you needing to claim compensation. Having legal guidance can help.