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How eating and driving is dangerous

On Behalf of | Mar 1, 2023 | Car Accidents

With busy schedules, some people eat while driving to the next meeting or errand. Although this seems like a solution to save time, it can be distracting. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2020. Eating takes a driver’s attention off the road, which means it’s potentially as dangerous as other distracting behaviors.

Here is how eating can lead to an accident.

Full hands

Some foods require both hands to consume. For example, when eating a burger, a driver may need to take their hands off the wheel. Tacos may also require both hands and attention to avoid creating a mess. When hands are off the wheel or full to the point that a driver can only use a few fingers, it can be hard to respond sooner when need be.

Food dropping

When food drops, a driver may try to find it. To do so, they will take their eyes off the road, increasing the chances of swerving. Such a driver may lose control or drive into another lane and can crash into another vehicle.

Slippery hands

Chocolate, French fries and pizza make your hands slippery. Thus, it’s dangerous when a driver eats them. Their hands and the steering wheel will be slippery, resulting in reduced grip. Accordingly, it may be challenging to make quick turns or shifts.

Cleaning melted chocolate or grease off the hands or steering wheel is another distracting behavior that takes a driver’s mind from the road.

Sudden reactions

When a driver drinks hot coffee or soups, and it burns their mouth or spills on the lap, they may make a sudden reaction that can affect their driving.

Eating while driving is a dangerous behavior. If you were injured by a distracted driver, consider your options to get the compensation you deserve.    

 

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