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Distracted driving causes accidents every day and seems like it is becoming even more prevalent. While you may suspect that this article is going to provide another warning about the danger of using cell phones in traffic….this warning is much more low-tech. While having conversing on cell phones behind the steering wheel continues to cause problems, a bigger problem lies with plain old eating and drinking. In fact, of all accidents involving distractions, 80% involve eating and drinking.
What foods cause distracted driving?
The most food-related accidents happen in the morning (prime eating time as folks are running late to work or school). While any food really could cause distracted driving, certain types of food and drinks are among the most popular and dangerous distractions, specifically:
- Coffee
- Hot soup
- Tacos
- Chili
- Hamburgers
- Barbecue
- Fried chicken
- Filled or Powdered Donuts
- Soft Drinks
- Chocolate
A lot of preparation accompanies the act of eating and drinking. Consider fumbling around with sandwich wrappers, adding sweeteners or cream to tea or coffee, putting in straws for cold drinks (how about getting poked in the eye with a straw), devoting one arm/hand for handling food or drink, dealing with condiments. Drivers who eat and drink also face reacting to spills; particularly when they involve something very messy or worse, very hot.
The key issue for drivers to remember is that, no matter one’s amount of experience; driving is difficult and dangerous. All forms of distraction should be avoided, or at least kept to a minimum. You and the persons sharing the roadways with you will be better off if you focus on driving and not on a meal.
Find more info on distracted driving in general and about eating while driving at decidetodrive.org/distracted-driving-dangerous/eating-driving.
The Safegard Group’s Personal Lines team can give additional tips on how to avoid distracted driving, contact us for more information.