The weather's warming up, the sun's out a little longer each day and summer is just around the bend. Some early birds are already planning summer vacations, of the far and near variety. But whether it's a week's excursion or a one-tank day trip, one thing has become surprisingly clear according to new reports: parents driving with kids in the car are often distracted by technology during the drive itself.

The reports in question found that nearly 90 percent of surveyed drivers used "at least one technology-based distraction when behind the wheel." Admittedly, that's an extremely broad phrase, and can range from a simple phone call, even one made via a hands-free device, to texting or surfing the Web while driving. Researchers also took a look at things like eating, changing CDs and recovering lost toys that had hit the driver's grabbing range.

Dr. Allison Brindle of the Cleveland Clinic offered up some remarks on this study, especially as its results correspond to recent developments in a lot of households with beginning drivers: "We have spent a lot of our time focusing our energies talking to teens about safe driving, and this survey took a step back looking at parents and said, what do parents do when they're driving? Are they distracted by their phones, talking on their phone, texting on their phone – and the answer is yes!"

The issues of distracted driving are well-known, and with a lot more driving about to take place in the near term future – Memorial Day weekend is just three weeks away, and with it comes the unofficial start of summer and the summer travel season – taking a closer look at these issues is certainly timely and may well save a few lives.

Granted, the situation may be a bit overblown, owing to extremely broad verbiage used in the survey, but it's still a good jumping-off point for discussion and a closer examination of one's own driving habits to ensure that distracted driving plays as little a role as possible in the standard round of driving behaviors.

With more cars about to hit the road, whether going for a quiet family evening of ice cream or making a long car trip to the lake or similar summer destination, taking a closer look at safe driving practices, and putting these practices to good use, will pay dividends in the long run. Lower insurance costs, safer driving, and of course the protection of human life will be an excellent capstone to any summer travel.