Yes, Eating Behind The Wheel Can Cause A Collision

When you go out for a drive, one of the things you might like to do is to grab a bite to eat. Whether you’re cruising with friends or are out on your own, this keeps you fueled up for the drive.

Unfortunately, eating behind the wheel is a danger to yourself and others. When you eat behind the wheel, you’re taking your eyes off the road. You’re taking your mind off what’s happening around you and placing it on what you’re eating. You’re even taking your hands off the wheel as you eat.

All of these actions mean that you could be putting yourself and others in danger. If you aren’t paying close enough attention, you could end up in a crash because of being unable to maneuver, not seeing a hazard ahead of you or not thinking about your movements on the road.

Think about a couple situations when you may be driving and eating and how they could affect you. For example, say you were driving and hit a bump while holding hot coffee. If it spills, you may be significantly distracted as you try to get the hot liquid off of yourself. That could quickly lead to an accident as you’re not paying attention to the road or your actions.

Here’s another example. If you’re sharing food with someone in the vehicle and they are trying to hand you a burger, they could hand it to you thinking that you have a good grip on it. If you drop it, you might look down and away from the road. You might move around trying to find a napkin. All of these actions put you at risk of a collision.

It’s safer to avoid eating while behind the wheel. Those who are hit by people who are distracted can file claims to hold them responsible.