Vehicle accidents happen frequently, and unfortunately, many of them could be avoided if drivers would simply pay more attention and avoid unnecessary distractions. While drinking and driving is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous combinations when it comes to car crashes, distracted driving also plays a huge role. There are many different forms of distracted driving, and some of the most common include texting, talking on cell phones, applying makeup, unruly children in the vehicle, being tired while driving, and eating while behind the wheel. It is important for all drivers to be able to focus when they are driving, whether it is on rural country roads, neighborhood streets, or the highway. While not all vehicle accidents are a direct result of distraction, the numbers are increasing.
Eating while driving can be very distracting. Many people find themselves in a rush to get out the door in the morning and choose to eat breakfast behind the wheel. Others stop at a fast-food restaurant and eat their lunch or dinner when they are driving. Texting is very similar to eating while driving in the sense that both can cause you not only to stop looking at the road but can also mentally distract you from the task at hand as well. Spilling food or drink can cause the driver to look down or away from the road and poses a serious hazard to other drivers. Opening up packets of food or digging into food bags is another way people can be distracted. Perhaps you want to add some ketchup to that burger or dip some French fries in it. All of these are just a few examples of how eating behind the wheel can become dangerous. By simply waiting until you get to your destination to eat or by stopping and going inside a restaurant to eat a meal, you can potentially avoid an automobile accident that can cause pain and suffering for yourself, your passengers, and others.
This article discusses a study that claims that eating while driving is the cause of 80 percent of all automobile accidents.
Eating While Driving More Dangerous Than Using Phone
A study in England explains that eating behind the wheel can be even more dangerous than talking on a cell phone.
Driver Distractions - Don't Be a Statistic
Here are some helpful tips and things to avoid being distracted while driving so that you can keep yourself and your passengers safe.
The Ten Worst Foods to Eat While Driving
Believe it or not, some foods are more dangerous than others when it comes to eating while driving. Here are ten foods to definitely avoid when you get behind the wheel.
Eating More Deadlier than Texting
This article cites another study that claims eating while driving is even more deadly than texting while driving, which may be surprising to many people.
Distracted Driving: Project Yellow Light
This website is dedicated to helping educate people about the many different dangers and hazards associated with different forms of distracted driving.
Motor Vehicle Safety: Distracted Driving
The Centers for Disease Control explains how driving while distracted is dangerous and how it is very easy to get into an accident if you're not focused on the road.
Here are several different terms related to distracted driving along with their meaning and definition.
Eating, Texting, and, Oh Yeah, Driving
This article and video explains how eating, texting, and other distractions while driving have become a major source of accidents, particularly for teenagers.
Is Eating While Driving the Next Thing to be Banned?
Many states and countries already have laws on the books banning texting or using a cell phone while driving. But many others are now also considering banning eating while driving as well because of the serious dangers and risks it causes.
Eating While Driving: It's Impairment on Your Mind
Aside from the obvious reasons that eating while driving distracts us, this page discusses how eating when behind the wheel can also cause us to become distracted mentally, which is also a serious risk for more accidents.
When Teen Drivers Multitask, They're Even Worse Than Adults
This article explores how teenagers who drive while eating, texting, talking on their cell phone, or any other form of distracted driving can be an even greater hazard on the road than their distracted adult counterparts.
A comprehensive guide to different resources that will help you learn about distracted driving, laws and fines, and the effects of being distracted on the road.
By: Walter Zeiss
