Eating While Driving Is More Hazardous Than You May Think
From sandwiches to cheeseburgers to hot wings, today’s drivers have access to all types of foods through the amazing convenience of restaurants’ drive thru-windows. Unfortunately, what many drivers don’t know is that eating while driving is quite dangerous. This behavior is one form of distracted driving. Just like texting while driving, eating while driving can be a recipe for disaster. The act of eating food or snacks while driving presents serious safety risks on U.S. highways.
Is Eating While Driving Illegal in Florida?
There are no laws in America that prohibit you from eating while driving. So, it is legal for you to eat a cheeseburger, sandwich, or even hot wings while driving in Florida. However, just because it is not against the law for you to eat while driving doesn’t mean it is wise to engage in such behavior. Even though a police officer cannot pull you over for eating while driving, they can pull you over if they observe you driving erratically due to eating while driving. Suppose a police officer believes that you are driving dangerously due to some form of distraction, in that case, you may end up paying monetary fines and/or facing other penalties for your actions.
Why Is Eating While Driving Dangerous?
Eating while driving is hazardous because it can increase your chances of being in a car accident. Generally, three main types of distractions impair motorists’ ability to drive safely and avoid accidents. They include;
- Visual distractions
- Manual distractions
- Cognitive distractions
Each of the above distractions is dangerous on its own. However, when combined, these distractions pose a higher risk to drivers and other road users. When eating, a driver needs to unwrap their food, hold it with at least one hand, apply condiments, and carry out other activities while driving. This combination of distractions makes eating while driving quite dangerous.
To prove how dangerous eating while driving can be, consider the following example. According to a Lytx study conducted in 2014, a motorist with food or drinking distractions is more than three times more likely to be involved in a car accident than motorists who don’t eat and drink while driving. Such statistics are shocking and show that there is a need to stop the behavior of eating while driving.
As much as it is tempting to eat while driving, it would be best to look at the bigger picture. If you avoid eating while driving, you can lower the risk of being pulled over for careless driving or involved in a crash. By driving cautiously, you can prevent potential injuries and damage to your car. Cautious driving can even help you avoid a fatal car accident. Whenever you feel hungry or thirsty, wait until you get home to have a meal, or pull over and enjoy your food before getting back on the road.
Contact a Jacksonville Personal Injury Attorney
Unfortunately, even after being cautious, you might find yourself injured in a car accident due to another driver’s distracted driving behavior. If you were recently in a Florida car accident because of another driver who was eating while driving, you should speak to an experienced Florida attorney as soon as possible. Our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you prove that the other motorist’s distracted driving behavior led to your accident and obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Bradenton, Orlando, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Ocala, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami areas.
Resource:
lytx.com/en-us/news-events/press-release/2014/lytx-data-finds-three-dangerous-activities-you-may
