Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents all across the United States. Many people when asked to picture “distracted driving” imagine a teenager with a cell phone. While it is true that mobile devices contribute to many accidents, one of the most common forms of distracted driving is a lot more innocuous than this.
Eating while driving is by far one of the most common forms of distracted driving. Almost every adult has eaten while behind the wheel at some point, even if they have not ever consumed drugs or alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, people who eat while driving increase the risk of crashes by almost 40%.
What are the most dangerous foods to eat?
Eating anything while driving is a distraction, but there are some foods that wind-up involved in accidents more often than others. Foods commonly associated with crashes involve donuts, soft drinks, chocolate, fried chicken, hamburgers, tacos, coffee and soup.
Many of these foods and beverages are either very hot or potentially leave the driver with greasy fingers.
How can I prevent eating while driving?
It is a good idea to leave yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Many people eat a hurried breakfast in their car while driving to work. Leaving 10 minutes earlier and giving yourself time to eat a more leisurely breakfast at home can reduce your compulsion to eat behind the wheel.
During road trips, always pull off to the side and eat. You can plan to take food with you as opposed to ordering food from a drive-thru. This will prevent you from eating and driving and will also save you money.