Pregnant women are at greater risk of being involved in a car accident.
(Credit: Ruthie Hansen, via flickr)
A new study of 507 262 women who gave birth in Ontario between 2006 and 2011 indicates that pregnant women are at greater risk of being involved in a car accident.
During the 3 years before pregnancy, the group averaged 177 crashes per month, but during the second trimester of pregnancy, this rose to 252 crashes per month, a 42% increase.
The authors conclude that this phenomenon could be prevented by a small changes in driver behaviour such as avoiding excessive speed, minimizing distractions, signalling turns, obeying stop signs, and always using a seatbelt.
Original research paper published in the the Canadian Medical Association Journal on May 12, 2014.
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