Driving With Kids is 12 Times More Distracting Than Talking on the Phone

The next time someone tells you not to talk on your phone or check Facebook while you're driving, you better tell them to leave their kids at home too.

Researchers in Australia have discovered the biggest distraction to drivers is not your smartphone, it's your kids!

Having kids in the car while driving is 12 times more distracting than fiddling with that smartphone behind the wheel.

Parents with kids in the car take their eyes away from the road for an average of 3 minutes and 22 seconds over a 16-minute commute. That means your kids are 12 times more distracting than talking on your phone.

Think about it, you're constantly doing things like handing back food, taking wrappers after they eat, adjusting the DVD player or adjusting the mirror to see what those little rascals are doing.

All of those different activities combined take longer to do than checking a text message.

When the kids start to get a little crazy in the car, keep your eyes forward and resist the urge to reach back or take your eyes off the road.

The best thing to do if possible, is pull over to a safe spot to tend to your child. Remember, it only takes a second for an accident to happen.