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Are Grandparents Safer Drivers Than Mom And Dad?

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- There's another debate brewing across the country.  It's a debate over a new study that says kids are safer in the car when a grandparent is driving, rather than their own parents.

Kai Jackson explains the results surprised researchers.

It's always been a rule that grandparents spoil their grandchildren.  A new study says when those grandchildren are with their grandparents on the road, they're in good hands.

"Grandparents tend to be overly cautious and protective of their grandchildren.  That's just natural," said grandparent Mark Underwood.

According to a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics, grandparents are safe drivers with their grandkids.  The study determined that a child's risk for injury was 50 percent lower riding with their grandparents instead of with their parents.  The study credits grandparents with being more focused and less distracted than parents.

"I'm not surprised to hear that at all," said grandparent Naomi Greenberg.

The results were taken from State Farm crash insurance claims from 2003-2007.  Fifteen states were analyzed and it involved 12,000 children up to 15 years old.  Overall, 1.05 percent of kids were hurt riding with their parents vs. 0.70 percent of kids riding with their grandparents---a 33 percent lower risk.

The study also noted that trips in the car with grandchildren might be more quality time than running errands.

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