For parents, safety is a primary concern when they pack their kids in the car, whether to head to school or take a family trip. Yet many are still engaging in dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, according to a recent survey from the University of Michigan.

The findings indicated that nearly 90 percent of of the 600 surveyed parents have diverted their attention from the road to focus on some form of technology while their kids were in the car within the past month. Drivers who don't restrain their youngsters in the proper safety seats, such as boosters for those 4 to 7 years old, were 2.5 times more likely to engage in distracting behaviors. On the other end of the spectrum, drivers who wore seatbelts were far more likely to secure their children in age-appropriate safety restraints.

"Lots of attention has been given to distracted teen drivers. However, our results indicate parents are frequently distracted while driving their 1- to 12-year-old children, and these distracted drivers were more likely to have been in a crash," said study author Dr. Michelle L. Macy, a clinical lecturer in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. 

Something as seemingly insignificant as sending a text from behind the wheel can make a crash 23 times more likely, according to Distraction.gov. To keep their kids safe, drivers should make sure to avoid distractions, which include not just using technology, but also eating or drinking, adjusting the radio and interacting with passengers. Those who have a tendency to reach for their phones may want to instead let their kids play games on the devices while they drive.

The type of car parents drive can also contribute to their family's safety on the road. Parents in the market for used cars, trucks or SUVs can find safe, reliable models at New Jersey State Auto Auction.