Fast food is popular because it is convenient, quick and relatively affordable. The entire business model depends on customers buying food from their vehicles and potentially eating those meals while on the road.
Most people don’t think twice about enjoying a burrito, burger or latte on their way to work or an important meeting. However, there is a degree of risk involved in eating while driving. Regardless of how common it is to eat while driving, people put themselves at risk of causing distracted driving collisions. A $5 takeout meal could actually end up costing people thousands if they end up causing car crashes due to the distraction of eating while driving.
Why is a meal so distracting?
There are three types of driving distractions that people can experience. Manual distraction occurs when people take their hands off the steering wheel, which is almost always necessary while eating. Visual distraction occurs when people look at something other than the control panel or the road. Looking into the bag for more fries or a napkin can cause visual distraction.
Cognitive distraction is equally dangerous. Mentally focusing on anything other than driving increases the chances of overlooking safety-critical details. People eating often focus on enjoying their food or avoiding a spill. The need to divide attention between the food and the operation of the vehicle can increase reaction times.
A spill could multiply the degree of distraction that drivers experience. They might yank on the steering wheel or stomp on the brakes, especially if they burn themselves by spilling something hot. Drivers who understand the risks can make the choice not to eat while driving. They can also keep records of indicators that the driver who caused their crash was in the middle of a meal or a hot drink.
Any sort of distraction while driving increases crash risk and may make a motorist liable for any collisions they cause. Learning more about common risk factors can help people protect themselves by avoiding a crash or holding the right party accountable for causing one. Distracted drivers are responsible for unsafe behavior in traffic, even when digital devices are not the source of their distraction.