Grandparents safer drivers?

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bnsnyde

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #1

Today's paper is about a study that surprised the researchers who found injury rates were less when grandparents were driving grandkids (as opposed to parents). (Grandma is crazy careful when she drives mine, so I can understand this).

It noted grandparents did, however, tend to not follow certain things like RF seats or no front seat rule. Injuries were still less.

I found this to be an interesting article.

What do you think about your family?

 

Pixels

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #2

I am really surprised about those results, to the point where I'm skeptical that they are valid. We already know that older adults are less safe drivers, and if they are less likely to follow safety rules like RF seats and no front seat, how is it possible they have lower injury rates?

 

Keeanh

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #3

I wonder how they're quantifying how much driving is done by parents vs grandparents? Days of the week, minutes in the vehicle, miles driven, what? Off the top of my head, I'm thinking most grandparent driving involves to & from church, the park, school... quiet drives on residential streets. Long trips, heavy traffic, highway driving are far more likely to be handled by parents.

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Jul 18, 2011

• #4

I'm guessing they're differentiating between "grandparents" and "great-grandparents." Older people are safer drivers, that's why they have lower insurance rates in general. It's not until you get into the 80's-90's drivers that things start looking bad again, but most grandparents are in their 50's-60's. Also, we're moving beyond generational issues that people who are now in their 80's had when they were in their 50's - no familiarity with seat belts, for example, or women who didn't learn to drive until they were 40.

 

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Stelvis

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #5

There have been similar studies showing that household injury and non-auto accident rates are also lower for children in their grandparents' care compared to their own parents. Even when the grandparents haven't childproofed anything, etc. Probably just because when kids are with their grandparents, the grandparents tend to be almost solely focused on them. So this study would be consistent with that.

Anecdotally, my parents are only 56 and are very safe drivers. They also follow all the car seat rules I set forth for them very, very carefully and to the letter. I feel comfortable letting them drive DS anywhere.

 

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bnsnyde

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #6

All those concerns about the study are valid. I don't know the details beyond what the paper reported in a smallish article. Just thought it was interesting.

 

TXAggieTech

Active member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #7

I saw the blurb but didn't get the article. I know my mom is extra cautious when she has kids with her.

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Jul 18, 2011

• #8

Looks like it was a CHOP study!

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/ca...ies-grandparents-drivers-parents-safety-1707/

 

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Stelvis

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #9

Yeah, since it was a CHOP study I tend to put a little more credence to it. Not that there can't be flaws with it, but they tend to do good work.

 

MommaWhitney

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #10

My parents and my in laws are in their 50s. Both are great drivers and follow the car seat laws I set. Im sure they are more careful when they have the kids. Just like when I have someone elses kids. Im way more aware of what is going on.

Sent from my iPhone using Car-Seat.Org

 

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #11

I think a lot of it is that older people (grandparents) drive more cautiously... slower, more defensively... and they're also more experienced drivers.

 

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acoro

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #12

I find in our family I would not be comfortable with either my parents or OH's parents driving our kids. This has little to do with age and everything to do with my perceived capabilities of the drivers though. My dad I would have trusted but now that he has had several mini strokes he's out too. Having said that my sister drives my kids once and awhile and I don't much like that either as I find her to be awfully distracted behind the wheel.

 

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NVMBR02

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #13

I haven't read the article yet but on the news blurb I saw it said it is 33% less likely for children to be in a crash with the grandparents vs. their parents. However, only 10% of the kids rode in a car with the grandparents, the rest did not ride with their grandparents. Injuries from the crashes were similar.

In my own family I don't trust my mother or my FIL to drive with our kids. MIL makes me a bit nervous but I do allow the kids to ride with her. I trust my dad completely.


I'll read the article after I get dd2 down for her nap.

 

ninejr

New member

• Jul 18, 2011

• #14

bnsnyde said:

Today's paper is about a study that surprised the researchers who found injury rates were less when grandparents were driving grandkids (as opposed to parents). (Grandma is crazy careful when she drives mine, so I can understand this).

It noted grandparents did, however, tend to not follow certain things like RF seats or no front seat rule. Injuries were still less.

I found this to be an interesting article.

What do you think about your family?

Click to expand...

I think that my parents and Dh's parents are great with the kids in the car and they listen and follow my car sear rules.

I wonder if some of it is that they are less likely to be distracted by things like talking on the phone or texting? My parents are pretty good with technology, but they are careful about sort of using it safely in the car. DH's parents don't have cell phones.

 

cookie123

New member

• Jul 19, 2011

• #15

I was distressed today to find out my SIL was driving her 3 year old grandson around in their '65 convertible in a booster with a lap belt.

 

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jenrose

New member

• Jul 21, 2011

• #16

I think it's because grandparents get more sleep.

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Jul 21, 2011

• #17

jenrose said:

I think it's because grandparents get more sleep.

Click to expand...

:ROTFLMAO: I think you're on to something there!