It has been signed into law that texting while driving is illegal, but where are the laws that ban eating or fiddling with the radio while behind the wheel too? Exactly how distracting are those or say, driving with kids in the back seat?A new study put out by our friends down under says that driving with kids is TWELVE times more distracting than texting or talking on your cellphone!

Apparently we take our eyes off the road for 3.5 minutes out of every 16 minutes we drive with our kids in tow. Any parent knows your job isn't to just get the little ones from point A to point B, but also to break up fights, pass back food and drinks, watch them in the rearview, adjust the DVD player or if you have a newborn, trying to see to their unique needs as well. And guys, we're more likely to be distracted and for longer by the goings-on in the backseat than our female counterparts who somehow have some kind of immunity to kid-commotion. So what are safety-conscious parents to do, put up soundproof glass to keep the atmosphere up front sterile?

Thing one, definitely DON'T use your cellphone at all on account that all of that distraction in the car PLUS being distracted by your device puts you and your precious cargo in harm's way. Also, if you can feed them before leaving, this'll save you from having to dish out snacks while doing 60-plus on the freeway. If you needed a reason to put that cellphone down while driving, count the souls on board your 'taxi' and that should be plenty. Having discussions with your kids about chilling it out while you drive would be a good idea too. My kids are quick to point out when I text and drive now, so they'll be more receptive to hearing how they can help too.

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