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A young woman has fast food in her lap while she driver har car.

Is It Dangerous to Eat or Drink While Driving?

We’ve all been there. Maybe you are getting hungry on a road trip and don’t want to waste time pulling over to eat lunch. Perhaps you are in a rush to an event and don’t have the time to stop and eat while hurrying around town. Time and time again, drivers are eating and drinking while driving, adamant about not losing valuable time to pull their automobile over. Because this is such a common occurrence, you are probably wondering if this is even dangerous to do.

Unfortunately, eating/drinking and driving is considered a form of distracted driving and is much more dangerous than it appears. According to a 2014 Lytx study, those who eat food or drink beverages while driving are 3.6 times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who don’t. A meal on the road may seem harmless, but even taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds at a time could lead to an avoidable accident.

Eating and driving can distract a driver in multiple ways. Firstly, food can serve as a visual distraction. Your eyes typically come off the road when picking up a snack or drink. This may prohibit you from noticing any dangerous movements on behalf of other vehicles on the road. Additionally, eating while driving requires taking your hands off the wheel, which can significantly impact your ability to steer your automobile. Lastly, eating or drinking can take your concentration off the road, which can delay your reaction time to sudden changes on the road.

Three Tips for Curbing Your Eating and Driving Habit

There are a few steps you can take to help curb your snacking and driving habit. Following these tips could help you avoid hurting yourself and other motorists on the road.

  1. Plan a set time to eat ahead: One way to combat eating or drinking when driving is to eat a large meal before driving. Planning out a full meal instead of a snack ahead of your trip can save you time on the road and keep you energized for your entire trip.
  2. Pull Over and Take a Break to Eat: While not optimal, sometimes it’s necessary for your safety to pull over and eat. Eating on the road requires taking your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road for seconds at a time, creating potential conditions for an accident. We know you don’t want to waste your time, but doing this could save you from a threatening accident.
  3. Wait it out: If participating in a shorter trip by automobile, it can be worth it to wait out the drive before eating. This option can help you save the time it takes to pull over and eat.

Discuss Distracted Driving with an Attorney Today

Unfortunately, distracted driving will continue to transpire in this world with so many distractions. Auto accidents of this nature are often severe, causing serious injuries and damage. If you are involved in a distracted driving accident, the guidance of an experienced car accident lawyer could be incredibly beneficial. Speak with our team of attorneys at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos, & Newlin today to learn more about how we can help.

Reach out to a Terre Haute Personal Injury Attorney Today

The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.

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