When most people think about “distracted driving,” they probably think of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or potentially texting and driving. While these are dangerous activities to engage in while driving, there are other dangerous forms of distracted driving that are far more common.
An extremely common form of distracted driving is eating while driving. According to Decide to Drive, if a driver is eating or drinking while driving they are over 3.5 times more likely to end up in an accident.
What are the most dangerous foods to eat while driving?
Not all foods are equal in terms of how dangerous they are. Decide to Drive outlines the most dangerous foods to snack on while behind the wheel: these include chocolate, powdered donuts, fried chicken, hamburgers, soups, tacos and coffee.
However, the best practice is just to wait until you stop driving to consume anything. Hot beverages are extremely dangerous in particular, as is anything that is greasy or covered in sauce. Unfortunately, this describes the majority of fast food, which people very commonly eat while driving.
How can I avoid eating while driving?
In most cases, proper planning can prevent you needing to eat while behind the wheel. Waking up a little bit earlier in the morning to eat breakfast at home as opposed to your car could save your life or those of others.
If you are on a long-haul trip, pull over and stop to eat your meals as opposed to eating them in the car. If you have multiple drivers, you can also switch drivers if it is necessary to eat in the car.
