You are busy. You spend your days running from here to there. It can be tempting to try to combine as many activities as you can. Eating in your car is a temptation you should avoid. A study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that if you choose to dine while driving, you are increasing your chances of having an accident by 80 percent.
Let’s be honest for a moment. It isn’t the act of eating that is distracting. Anyone can steer a wheel with one hand and eat with the other. The danger comes while you are spending time fiddling with wrappers, inserting straws and eating dripping, messy foods.
According to the report, there are some foods that are simply more dangerous in the car than others. If you refuse to stop eating in the car, at least stop eating these five foods.
1. Coffee
Chances are high that you pour your second or third cup of coffee into your travel mug and head out the door. It is the number one food-stuff that contributes to accidents while driving. True, it is the most common food taken in the car, but it is also one of the hottest and one of the easiest to spill in your lap.
2. Soup
It is hard to believe that people actually try to eat soup in the car. Let’s assume that it is drinkable soup in mugs or cups and not soup that requires a spoon. No matter. Like coffee, soup is easy to spill and can give you a heck of a burn if it lands in your lap.
3. Tacos
Do you have a Taco Bell or other fast-food place along your route? Avoid it. Eating a taco in the car may be quick, but it is messy. Beef, lettuce, falling cheese, and dripping sauce are all distractions to the task at hand.
4. Chili
Like soup, this one surprises us. Whether you are eating it alone or on top of a burger or hotdog, it is not a good idea. Chili is messy and hot, not to mention how easily it stains. Save the chili for your kitchen table.
5. Burgers
Few people eat a patty on a bun. Most add cheese and condiments to their burgers. These juicy bundles of goodness are dangerous to eat while in the driver’s seat. No matter how fast you think you can scarf one down, your habit may eventually catch up to you.
Keep in mind that any type of distracted driving can lead to an accident. It is up to you to be as safe as possible when you drive. If that means eating in the kitchen or waiting until you get to the office to grab a cup of coffee, so be it.
If you have been injured in an accident, our team of personal injury attorneys is here for you. Call for your free initial consultation today.
About the Author
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.