Many people think nothing of eating while driving, but the truth of the matter is that doing so increases your risk of being in a car accident. Here is what you need to know about why you should avoid eating while driving, the frequency of car accidents resulting from such distracted driving, and tips to avoid doing this.
Eating While Driving Is Distracted Driving
Anything that takes your attention off the road is a distraction that increases your risk of being in a car accident. The road needs your complete and full attention in order for you to drive safely. This means that answering texts, skipping songs, or paying more attention to your conversation than the road all put your safety at risk – as does eating while driving.
Since it’s so common for people to grab a meal and go, you may not think anything of it. After all, it’s not like it’s illegal to eat or drink while you’re driving. It’s so common that a Stanford study showed that about 20% of Americans’ meals are eaten in the car.
But just because something is commonplace doesn’t mean it’s good. Even the slightest distraction while driving can have catastrophic consequences. When you’re going 55 mph, this means that you can travel the length of an entire football field in 5 mere seconds. That’s a lot of distance for something to abruptly change in the road or driving conditions in a very short time – time that could be taken up by something as simple as dipping your fries in sauce.
Ways Eating While Driving Contributes To Car Accidents
There are three main types of distractions while driving: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distractions are when you take your eyes off of the road. Manual distractions are when you take your hands off of the wheel. Cognitive distractions are when you take your mind off of driving. Eating while driving causes all three of these types of distractions.
This is because when you eat while you drive, you’re multitasking. This means that your attention is only partially on the road. You’re not just thinking about the road, you’re thinking about not making a mess, not spilling, opening your food, reaching for a drink, and more. It only takes a split second for an accident to occur, necessitating 100% of your focus on the road at all times when you’re driving.
Plus, eating is something that typically requires both of your hands. While sure, you can grab fries with one hand or tell yourself you only need one hand to hold your sandwich, this involves taking at least one hand off of the wheel. And should something happen, like a pedestrian coming out of nowhere, you need both hands on the wheel to react fast enough.
The Frequency Of Accidents Caused By Distracted Driving
A lot of things that contribute to distracted driving aren’t illegal, eating and drinking included. But that doesn’t mean they don’t create distractions that jeopardize everyone’s safety on the road. Approximately 9 people are killed in the United States every day due to accidents that involve a distracted driver.
According to the NHTSA, drivers are 8x more likely to be involved in an accident when reaching for an object. They’re 3x more likely to be in an accident while eating or drinking. Motorists who eat and drive increase their chances of being in an accident by about 80%, while distracted drivers who were eating or drinking caused about 65% of near-miss accidents.
Don’t Eat A Crash Diet: How To Avoid Eating While Driving
Eating while driving is bad for multiple reasons. Not only does it increase your chances of being in a car accident, it’s also not good for you. Most foods that are convenient to eat in the car aren’t healthy. As such, doing your utmost to avoid eating while driving isn’t just safer, it’s also healthier for your body.
Some ways you can do this include:
- Eat before you leave. This does mean you have to wake up earlier, but better an earlier alarm than landing in the hospital.
- Keeping food out of the car. Some people keep snacks in their car. While this can be smart in the event that you get stranded somewhere, keep them out of reach of the driver’s seat. Plus, this helps you keep your car cleaner.
- Opt for slimmer, easier to pick up drinks. That way, you don’t have to fumble to pick them up or worry so much about spilling them all over the place.
Have You Been Victim To A Car Accident?
LeBaron & Jensen provides personal injury representation to those who have been victim to accidents, such as those caused by distracted drivers who were eating while driving. Contact us today to schedule a case consultation.
