Research highlights ▶ Qualitative and quantitative studies examined changes in driving following the transition to parenthood. ▶ The most dominant effect is increased apprehension and a stronger sense of responsibility. ▶ These changes influenced the reported driving behavior of only a portion of parents. ▶ The presence of children in the car may moderate risks, but can also impair safety due to the need to divide attention.

    Abstract Most parents remember the first time they drove with a newborn child in the car. Feeling the need to protect the infant, they avoided sharp turns and drove more slowly and carefully than normal. But how long do these behaviors persist? Do parents ultimately revert to their previous driving patterns, or does some of the early protectiveness and caution continue to characterize their driving as their infant grows into a toddler and preschooler? In an attempt to answer these questions, two studies were conducted on parents of young children: a qualitative study consisting of personal interviews (16 parents); and a quantitative study in the form of a national telephone survey (165 parents). The results show that the most dominant reported effect of the transition to parenthood on driving is increased apprehension of traffic crashes and a stronger sense of responsibility. However, these changes were found to influence the reported actual driving behavior of only a portion of the parents. Possible explanations of the findings are discussed.


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    Title :

    Does the transition to parenthood influence driving?


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2010-12-01


    Size :

    14 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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