CHICAGO (AP) - A study on grandparent drivers has its
researchers doing a double-take over the results.
The study found that kids may be safer in cars with grandma or
grandpa at the wheel instead of mom or dad.
The results are from an analysis of State Farm insurance claims
for 2003-07 car crashes in 15 states, and interviews with the
drivers.
Overall, 1.05 percent of kids were injured when riding with
parents, versus 0.70 percent of those riding with grandparents, or
a 33 percent lower risk. The difference was even more pronounced --
50 percent -- when the researchers took into account other things
that could influence injury rates, including not using car seats,
and older-model cars.
The findings fly in the face of previous evidence that car
crashes are more common in older drivers, mostly those beyond age
65.
Researchers speculate that grandparents are extra-cautious when
tasked with driving their grandchildren.
The study is published in the journal Pediatrics.

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