How Common Are Car Accidents Due to Eating While Driving?

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of serious and fatal car accidents in the United States. While many people associate distracted driving with texting or cell phone use, it includes much more than that. Eating, drinking, adjusting music, talking to passengers, using navigation systems, or reaching for items in the car can all take a driver’s attention away from the road.

According to one recent survey, 56.7% of Americans reported that they eat and drink while driving. Eating while driving may seem harmless, especially for people with busy schedules. With drive-thru restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores on nearly every route, grabbing food on the go can feel normal. However, eating behind the wheel can be dangerous because it can take a driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, and mind off the task of driving safely.

Man is eating an hamburger while driving his car

Eating and Driving Statistics

Eating and driving statistics show why this behavior should be taken seriously. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving kills about nine people each day in the United States and injures 1,000 more. Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, including eating or drinking. While many distracted driving statistics focus on cell phone use, eating behind the wheel can also increase the risk of a crash. A driver traveling 55 mph can cover the length of a football field in about five seconds. If that driver looks down to unwrap food, reach for a drink, or clean up a spill, they may miss stopped traffic, a red light, a pedestrian, or another hazard.

Although many people don’t think twice about eating while driving, it can be dangerous. A few seconds of distraction can be enough to cause a rear-end collision, sideswipe accident, pedestrian accident, or multi-vehicle crash.

Is Eating While Driving Illegal?

Many drivers wonder if eating while driving is illegal. In most states, there is no specific law that makes eating while driving illegal by itself. However, that does not mean eating behind the wheel is always legally safe. If eating causes a driver to speed, drift out of a lane, run a red light, rear-end another vehicle, or otherwise drive carelessly, that driver may still be help responsible for the accident.

Eating while driving may also support a distracted driving or negligence claim after a crash. For example, if a driver was unwrapping food, reaching for fires, spilling a drink, or looking down at their meal when the collision occurred, that behavior may show that they were not paying proper attention to the road. Laws vary by state, and some distracted driving rules are broader than others. Even when eating while driving is not specifically banned, drivers still have a duty to operate their vehicles safely. If a driver causes a crash because they were distracted by food or drink, an injured person may have legal options.

Is Eating While Driving Dangerous?

When behind the wheel, drivers have a responsibility to focus on the road and follow all safety precautions. Eating while driving is dangerous because it creates several types of distractions at the same time. It can be a manual distraction, because the driver takes a hand off the wheel. It can be a visual distraction, because the driver looks away from the road. It can also be a cognitive distraction because the driver’s attention is divided.

Eating Requires Two Hands

Eating while driving often requires a driver to remove at least one hand from the wheel. Opening a burger wrapper, dipping food in sauce, reaching for fries, holding a sandwich, or trying to keep a drink from spilling can all interfere with safe driving. Some drivers may even try to steer with one hand, their wrist, or their knees while handling food. A driver who does not have both hands available may have less control if traffic suddenly stops, another vehicle swerves, or a pedestrian enters the road. Even a small distraction can become dangerous when the driver needs to react quickly.

Your Focus Is Not On the road

When you eat while driving, your attention may shift away from traffic, road signs, pedestrians, and surrounding vehicles. A driver might worry about making a mess, spilling coffee, finding a napkin, or picking up food that dropped. During that time, the driver may not notice a car braking ahead, a lane change, or a vehicle in their blind spot. This is one reason eating while driving can be just as concerning as other forms of distracted driving. The driver may believe they are still paying attention, but their focus is split between the food and the road.

Reaction Times May Be Delayed

If a driver’s eyes, hands, or focus are not on the road, their reaction time may be slower. Delayed reactions can cause serious accidents. It only takes a moment for another car to stop suddenly, traffic to slow, or a pedestrian to step in a crosswalk. By keeping both hands available and focusing on the road, drivers are better able to respond to sudden changes. Eating while driving makes that harder and may increase the chance of a preventable crash.

Tips to Avoid Eating While Driving

Eating in your car can be both distracting and messy. Many foods eaten on the go come from fast-food restaurants or convenience stores and often involve wrappers, sauces, lids, utensils, and napkins. These small takes can become major distractions when a driver is behind the wheel. To avoid eating while driving, consider these tips:

• Eat before leaving: Try to give yourself enough time to eat before leaving for school, work, or errands. Eating while driving may feel like it saves time, but it can increase stress and create unnecessary risk. Taking and extra 10 to 15 minutes to eat before driving can help you stay focused once you are on the road.
• Keep food out of the car: When food is in the car, the temptation to snack while driving can be hard to resist. Consider making a rule that food stays out of the driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. If you need to eat, pull over safely or wait until you arrive at your destination.
• Choose safer drink containers: Sometimes having a drink in the car is difficult to avoid. If you need to bring water, coffee, or another drink, choose a slim container with an easy-to-open lid that fits securely in a cup holder. Avoid drinks that spill easily, require two hands, or need frequent adjusting while driving.

Get a Free Case Evaluation from The Barnes Firm

Distracted driving causes far too many injuries and deaths on the road. Eating while driving may seem harmless, bit it can take a driver’s attention away from the road long enough to cause a serious accident. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by a driver who was eating, drinking, or otherwise driving negligent, The Barnes Firm can help.

Our team of experienced car accident attorneys handle cases involving distracted driving and serious auto accident injuries. If you are hurting because of someone else’s carelessness, we want to help you pursue the justice and compensation you need to recover.

For a free consultation, call our office at (800) 800-0000 or complete an online contact form today.

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