Sage Advice: New Study Reveals Kids Are Safer When Grandparents Drive

While older adults often take a bad rap for being bad drivers, a new study reveals that children are 50% less likely to suffer an injury while riding as a passenger with a grandparent at the wheel than a parent.

The unexpected findings were released earlier this week in the online journal Pediatrics. And the news is spreading quickly across the internet along with much speculation as to the study’s findings.

The study conducted by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was based upon the review of State Farm insurance claims covering nearly 12,000 children age 15 and younger from the period of 2003 to 2007 across 15 states and the District of Columbia.

Fred Henretig, lead author of the study and an emergency department physician at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says the study’s findings are the exact opposite of what researchers expected to find.

The study does not answer the question as to why children were safer with grandparents as drivers than their parents but there are many questions being asked about the findings. Do older adults drive at slower speeds than their younger counterparts thereby reducing the chances of a serious accident? Do they avoid more risky routes such as major highways? Are older drivers less prone to using cell phones or other mobile devices which can cause driving distraction? Or are older adults just more likely to take fewer risks while behind the wheel with a grandchild?

Henretig speculates that grandparents may be especially careful while driving with grandchildren and make extra efforts to focus on safe, undistracted driving.

 "Let's figure out what the grandparents are doing right, and get everybody to do it,” said Henretig.

So what are your ideas?  Do you agree with the findings of the study? Or do you think there's more here than meets than eye?  Either way, please share your thoughts and ideas.

I look forward to seeing your ideas on this topic. What do you think?