There are many reasons that people eat while driving. Some people routinely enjoy breakfast or lunch while on their way to work as a way of multitasking during their daily commute. Others might occasionally eat while driving if they are on a road trip or traveling to a special event with friends.
Whether someone habitually snacks while driving or only occasionally goes through the drive-thru, their choices may lead to a preventable car crash. Eating or drinking while driving is a distraction.
Despite the proliferation of drive-throughs and the existence of cup holders in most modern vehicles, it is not necessarily safe to eat or drink while operating a motor vehicle. Doing so can cause a preventable car wreck.
What makes eating and drinking while driving so distracting?
Taking at least one hand off of the wheel
Even the most practiced driver needs to maintain a two-handed grip for optimal control of a motor vehicle. Taking one or both hands off of the steering wheel to hold a cheeseburger or a cup of coffee increases the risk of a crash. The need to adjust one’s grip on the steering wheel can increase reaction times and may be the difference between a driver responding to another motorist stopping short or colliding with that driver.
Cognitive distraction
Eating while driving splits a motorist’s mental attention. They cannot wholly focus on operating a motor vehicle while enjoying a burger or fishing for the last french fries in the bag. Cognitive distraction can come from a desire to avoid spilling while eating at the wheel and from the enjoyment of the food. Motorists who have to split their attention between multiple tasks could potentially cause crashes because they don’t notice changes in traffic quickly enough.
The risk of a spill
Eating and drinking can be distracting on their own. If the driver accidentally spills a glob of ketchup on their shirt or drops hot coffee in their lap, they may have a strong, immediate reaction. They may jerk on the steering wheel or slam on their brakes, which can lead to other drivers hitting them.
Avoiding common driving distractions, such as food and beverages, can help people control their crash risk. Those affected by car wrecks caused by drivers eating or drinking may have grounds to seek compensation from a distracted driver at fault for their injurious incident.