According to a new study, pregnant women do have a higher chance of being in a car crash during the second trimesters of their pregnancies. This study’s findings indicate that “pregnancy might contribute to the risk of a serious motor vehicle crash,” as reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Why Is Pregnancy Associated With Traffic Accidents?
Pregnant women drivers are often affected by lack of sleep. As a result of their hip pains, back aches, and learning to sleep on their left sides, they often suffer from sleep disruption. When people aren’t getting enough sleep—like those who suffer from sleep apnea—they are less alert, move more slowly, have delayed reaction times, and may have impaired judgment. All of these things can affect a pregnant driver’s risk of being in a crash.
According to the study, pregnant women drivers have a significantly higher chance of being in a car accident during their second trimesters—about a 42 percent increase. In order to avoid being in a car crash on Beach Street or I-95, try to do the following things:
- If you are tired, ask someone else to drive.
- If you are nauseous, don’t drive.
- Never talk on your cell phone while driving—even on a hands-free device.
- Never email, update social media accounts, or text while driving.
- Minimize your distractions while driving.
- Try to put your to-do list out of your mind and focus on the task at hand.
- Watch your speed.
- Obey the road rules.
We hope this list of tips will help you stay safe and avoid a car accident while pregnant. If you found this information helpful, please share it with others you know who are pregnant by clicking on the Google Plus button on this page.