When was the last time you grabbed a fast food meal? You likely ate it in your car driving back home, to work or to an event.
Maybe it never crossed your mind back then but eating while driving can be extremely dangerous for you and other drivers. Here’s what you should know:
You should park next time you grab a meal to go
One out of three people eats fast food every day and nearly half of American drivers admit to eating while driving – so, just imagine the statistics of people that don’t report their habits. With a rapidly growing population and fast food industry, more people are going to be eating while driving every day.
It’s almost normal for people at this point to run through a drive-thru and consider eating or snacking while in traffic. But, car accidents can increase when one hand is on the wheel and another hand is holding a burger or soft drink. Here are a few reasons you may consider putting your food down until you’re safely parked:
- If you’re planning on eating in your car, you’ll have to dig through a bag and likely open up a container or wrapping to get to your food. You’ll have to take one hand off the wheel and lower your reaction speed in an oncoming collision.
- Grease from a burger or condensation from a drink could make it harder to grip the steering wheel. If suddenly you have to turn the wheel, your hand could slip.
- If you’re drinking and the drink suddenly spills, it could not only be upsetting but distracting, pulling your vision away from the road and causing an accident. If it’s a hot beverage, you could be burned causing you to take your hand off the wheel and momentarily look away.
While you may know the dangers of eating in your car, the next driver may not. If you’re in a car accident because of a distracted driver, you may need to reach out for legal help to recover from your losses and medical injuries.