How Common Are Car Accidents in San Diego Due to Eating While Driving?
David Muñoz | August 22, 2022 | Car Accidents
Millions of drivers eat while driving every single day. But eating while driving can take a driver’s attention away from the road, causing car accidents that can result in serious injuries.
Car accidents caused by eating while driving are common in San Diego. If you’ve experienced a collision due to another driver’s distracted driving, a car accident lawyer can provide legal guidance.
Eating While Driving Is Distracted Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is the act of pairing driving with any type of activity that could take your attention off the road. Whether it’s texting, talking on the phone, or operating the radio, any activity that takes your full attention away from the road can be dangerous to you and others on the road.
Eating while driving is one of the most common examples of distracted driving. When someone is eating behind the wheel, they can’t give their full attention to the road the entire time.
Why Eating While Driving Is So Dangerous
Eating while driving is dangerous because it presents multiple kinds of distractions.
There are three primary types of driving distractions:
- Visual: distractions that take your eyes off the road
- Cognitive: distractions that take your mind off driving
- Manual: distractions that take your hands off the wheel
Eating while driving can result in a mix of these types of distractions, heightening the risk of accidents and injuries.
Eating Takes Your Eyes Off the Road
At some point while eating, you’re inevitably going to take your eyes off the road. You might need to get a napkin, grab something out of a drive-through bag, or look down at what you’re eating.
Taking your eyes off the road, even for a second, can be dangerous. Usually, when you take your eyes off the road while driving, you don’t realize how far you’ve driven without actually looking. You may miss a light turning red, cars braking in front of you, or a pedestrian crossing the street.
Eating Takes Your Mind Off Driving
Eating while driving can take your focus entirely away from driving. For example, if you’re eating and you spill something on your pants, you’ll likely want to clean it up as quickly as possible while still driving. Not only will your eyes be off the road, but also your focus.
Eating Takes Your Hands Off the Wheel
You need your hands to eat, which means that as long as you’re eating, you won’t be able to keep both hands on the steering wheel. You’ll likely need to unwrap and hold your food, open sauce packets, and grab your drink — all while attempting to drive at the same time.
Even if you’re comfortable driving with only one hand, both hands should be free at all times, just in case.
Avoid Eating While Driving
Driving while eating puts you in danger and dramatically increases your chances of getting into an unnecessary and avoidable car accident.
To avoid eating while driving, you can:
- Eat before you leave for your destination
- Keep food out of your car to avoid the temptation
- Park somewhere to eat if you must eat in the car
You should always try to avoid eating while on the road.
Protect Yourself and Others by Giving the Road Your Full Attention
Your food can wait until you make it home. After all, distracted driving accidents injure and kill thousands every year, so keep yourself and others around you safe by waiting until you’re at a table to eat.
Contact the San Diego Car Accident Law Firm of Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Today To Get More Information
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in San Diego or Chula Vista, please call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.
We proudly serve San Diego County and throughout California.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers
2515 Camino del Rio S Suite 350, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 777-5555
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – Chula Vista Office
690 Otay Lakes Rd #130, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 722-3032
We also serve the state of Texas. Contact our personal injury law office in El Paso for legal assistance today.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – El Paso Office
201 E Main Suite 106, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 591-1000
