Moms: Distracted driving moms are guilty, too

The moms I know can usually rattle of toddler car seat statistics, and know the importance of our older kids wearing seat belts.

But do we give enough attention to the biggest safety hazard in the vehicle — ourselves?

Motherproof.com released the ten safest cities for Mom-drivers. The site also provides tips on simple ways for parents to up the safety when shuttling the kids around.

Find a distraction for your kids: 32 percent of moms admitted that their child's activity in the backseat causes them to drift between lanes, miss a turn or get into an accident (only 32 percent?). Bringing books, MP3 players and educational hand-held video games are just a few ways to keep them busy while you focus on the road. For long road trips, invest in a DVD player.

Turn off your cell phone: The survey revealed that 54 percent of moms text or make calls while hauling their kids. Turn off your phone (gulp) until you've reached your destination. When a call is absolutely necessary, pull over. Remember: Monkey see, monkey do. When your kids reach driving age, they'll remember your habits and be likely to follow your example.

Eat before you leave the house: 54 percent of moms admit to eating on the road. Eating while driving leaves you one-handed. If you can't eat before you leave the house, stop at a restaurant and eat there.

Be prepared for emergencies: 41 percent of moms don't know how to change a tire. I admit that I gladly signed up for roadside assistance, so I wouldn't have to learn this trick. But sometimes those services can take hours to arrive — leaving you and your kids in an unsafe spot. Don't forget to keep simple things in your car — like a flashlight and even a few road flares. Be savvy — not helpless — and learn how to be your own roadside assistant.

Find more advice for moms at orlandosentinel.com/momsatwork. © 2009, The Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.