Family members are more likely to distract drivers, safety group says

People’s commitment to their loved ones could prove dangerous on the road, as drivers are more likely to be distracted by family members than their job or friends, according to a safety group.

“It is a sad irony that the people we love are actually jeopardizing our safety,” Deborah A.P. Hersman, president of the National Safety Council, said in a statement Thursday.

A council survey found that 82 percent of Americans feel pressured to deal with family distractions, such as phone calls and text messages, while behind the wheel. That compares with 54 percent for work-related intrusions and 50 percent for friends. Teen drivers, however, are more likely to be distracted by friends than family.

Bloomberg News

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Family members are more likely to distract drivers, safety group says."