People always speak about the dangers of texting while
driving, and while it is an important thing to be aware about as it happens
unfortunately very often, it is not only form of common distraction. Eating
behind the wheel may seem do-able and harmless, but it’s a lot more risky than
you may think. Eating falls under the category of “distracted driving” and can
lead to consequences. Eating while driving forces a driver to operate a motor vehicle
with only one hand, which can cause the driver to swerve and cause an accident.
Experts say eating while driving can increase a motorist’s
chances of a car accident by 80 percent. A driver’s reaction speed is lowered
by 44 percent when eating while driving. While drinking, the reaction speed is
lowered by 22 percent.
Eating while driving can be dangerous because all it takes
is a few seconds of distraction to lose control of the vehicle. For example,
you need just a few seconds to grab your sandwich and unwrap it, and that same
amount of time is all it takes to lose control of the vehicle because you
either didn’t have your hands on the wheel and/or you were distracted.
Eating greasy food also makes your hands greasy and
slippery, which can also make you lose your grip and control of the steering
wheel and the gear stick.
Drinks can also be hazardous because if they spill while
you’re driving and attempt to wipe the spills from your clothes or your seat,
you may forget about the traffic rules in that moment and not be fully
concentrated on the road.
The bottom line is that many times when we spill something
or drop bits of food, our instinctive reaction is usually to clean it up
immediately before it becomes a permanent stain, which is hazardous to react
this way while driving. So you may not realize your impulsive reactions at the
moment and go to reach for something and then you could get into an accident. The
less that the road has your undivided attention, the riskier your chances of
any accident become. Treat your food like your phone and put it away – eat
before or after you drive.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the
compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join
the conversation by using #MCAA.
