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In the long
and inglorious history of distracted and/or dangerous driving, men
have always been—and continue to be—the
most frequent culprits. However, a recent study shows that “pregnancy
brain”—a phenomenon characterized by forgetfulness and mental distraction
commonly reported by expectant women—can affect many aspects of behavior, including, it seems, driving ability.
If
you’re a soon-to-be mom, the data says you should take extra care when you’re
behind the wheel, knowing that an automobile accident can lead to
serious injuries—both bodily and financially—and can even potentially land you
in a world of legal problems.
Statistics
point to vulnerability
Researchers
in Canada studied the records of more than 500,000 women over a six-year period
to compare their risk of auto accidents before, during, and after pregnancy.
Turns out that a pregnant woman has a significantly higher risk of being involved
in an auto accident, particularly during her second semester. And the risk is
higher in the afternoons (during the evening commute), in bad weather, and in
the fall and winter.
The
study showed that numbers increased markedly during pregnancy. Before pregnancy,
serious crashes for all of the women (when in the driver’s seat) totaled 177
per month, or 4.5 crashes per 1,000 women per year. The rate stayed mostly
consistent through the first month of pregnancy.
By
the fourth month, however, the same women were having 299 serious car crashes
per month (an annual rate of 7.6 per 1,000)—a 42 percent increased relative
risk of being in an automobile accident when pregnant than when not pregnant.
The rate fell dramatically by the final month of pregnancy and remained low for
the year following the births.
“A
normal pregnancy is associated with fatigue, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and
distraction,” Donald Redelmeier, a researcher with the Institution for Clinical
Evaluative Sciences, reported in
the Canadian Medical Association Journal. “All
those changes could contribute to driver error.”
Pregnancy
creates distractions
So,
why is the risk particularly high during the first month of the second
trimester? It could be that women are finally feeling better at this point in
their pregnancy after an exhausting and sickness-filled first trimester. And
they’re likely getting out more, which puts them on the highways more regularly
and increases their risk of crashing in general. Furthermore, the mamas-to-be
may be rushing around getting things ready for the baby, which contributes to
the distraction.
In
addition to documented brain changes (which other studies have refuted),
researchers have pointed to hormones and other effects of pregnancy that often
affect expectant mothers more than they realize. These subconscious and
unconscious distractions have the potential to impact driving skills, reflexes,
and concentration.
And
that third trimester? The study purports that physical changes are so obvious
by then that there is a very present reminder to be more careful. And a woman’s
support system is constantly warning her to drive cautiously.
In
fact, the safest month for all women was the final month of pregnancy,
according to the research. The women studied had only 2.74 crashes per 1,000
women per year. And in the year following birth, the accident rate was even
lower (2.35 crashes per 1,000).
Can
“pregnancy brain” be blamed for an accident?
From
a legal standpoint, then, can this “condition” be blamed for a fender bender?
Kevin Adkins of the Kenmore Law Group in Los Angeles
explains that traffic accidents are typically negligence cases, and negligence
is the failure to act reasonably. “The first and most important question to
ask,” he says, “is ‘What would a reasonable person have done?’”
Pregnancy
brain cases would likely be treated the same as any other mental condition
which affects the driver. “We have seen cases where an individual knew he was
having seizures without notice, and he chose to drive, and he was held liable
for an accident that he caused,” says Adkins.
If
it is determined that the “reasonable” thing for a pregnant woman to do is not
get behind the wheel, because her pregnancy brain was problematic, then a woman
who chooses to drive despite the condition can be held liable for any damages
caused. “By definition, the defendant was negligent and can be sued for
negligence,” explains Adkins.
However,
if a woman is unaware that she is suffering from pregnancy brain, there is no
liability. “She would only be liable if she knew or if she should have known (i.e. if a reasonable person in her
position would know) that the pregnancy brain posed a danger to other people on
the road,” says Adkins.
Driving—cautiously—is
still OK
“We
are not saying that pregnant women shouldn’t drive,” says Redelmeier. Nor are the
researchers suggesting that expecting moms leave driving to male partners—the
study confirms that even at their worst, pregnant women are still better
drivers than men of the same age.
The
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists encourages pregnant women to remember to buckle up with a lap and
shoulder belt and to keep air bags turned on. Additionally, pregnant drivers
should aim to keep 10 inches between the steering wheel and their breastbone.
Awareness
is key. Women in mid-pregnancy should drive as cautiously as they would with
big bellies or infants on board. “Just slow down and follow the rules of the
road,” says Redelmeier. “That seems like such incredibly banal advice to give,
I realize that, but every one of our crashes in the study could have been
avoided by a small change in driver behaviors.”
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