هل تناول الطعام أثناء القيادة غير قانوني؟ القوانين والعقوبات والمخاطر

You already know you have to wear a seat belt and use of a phone is prohibited while you are driving. But what about, can you eat while driving?

It’s important for you to understand the legal standards for eating behind the wheel. Today, we will explain why eating while driving is against the law & its official punishments.

Is It Illegal To Eat and Drive?

There is no official law which regulates that you can’t eat while you drive. However, some regions have their own rules about distracted driving. Because, if you eat when you drive your car, it will be unsafe for you.

But, the rules can be different based on your local town or state. It’s not technically illegal to eat and drive. That means, you are allowed to eat as long as you don’t cause any problem for other road users & for yourself too.

Eating While Driving Law

When you eat while riding on the road, it may lead to losing focus on the road. It’s called distracted driving. Each country has their own rule for it and you must follow them.

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulates you to pay attention while you drive your car. Even small things such as opening food & consuming drinks will be harmful for you.
• In California, Taxes and New York, you are required to drive safely all the time. These countries are strict about eating anything which distracts you.
• Reckless driving (handling your car on the road in an unsafe way) is prohibited as it is dangerous and causes accidents. When you eat & drive, you can get in trouble with the law.

Penalties For Eating While Driving

If you don’t obey قوانين المرور for distracted driving, you may face some legal problems.

• Higher Insurance Costs: If you crash your car due to careless driving, then insurance companies may increase your insurance rates to cover possible damages.

• Fines: You can get a fine if police officers notice that eating leads to minimizing your focus. The ticket charge ranges between $50 to $200 based on your country’s rules.

• License Points Reduced: You may lose points on your driving license. This can lead to more trouble for you, such as permanent suspension of your license.

• Negligent Driving Charges: Negligence means you are not paying enough attention when you drive your vehicle. In case you hurt other road users, you have to face a heavy fine ($100+).

• Responsibility for Damages: If you have food while driving & hit someone, you may have to pay money. This means you are responsible for fixing other cars, property, as well as covering medical costs.

Eating While Driving is What Type of Distraction?

You may face these major distractions whenever you eat and drive your vehicle on the road.

Visual Distraction

Visual distraction means when you are looking away from the road. For example, if you stare at your food and try to unwrap your snack, your eyes probably have no focus on traffic. Hence, you can’t see road signs, other vehicles and sudden hazards. This action can maximize the risk of severe accidents. 

Mind Off Driving

When you eat something while riding in your vehicle, you generally think more about your food than the traffic. This can lead to missing important things, such as إشارات المرور and other road users.

However, if your eyes are on the road, your mind can still be distracted. This will take your overall attention away from driving. For that reason, you must avoid eating snacks & stay alert.

Manual Distraction

Manual distractions happen when you remove your hands from the steering wheel. It’s common when you eat while operating a motor vehicle because you need to hold food & open wrappers in your hands.

It will be difficult for you to hold the steering properly, use the brakes as well as make quick reactions to handle danger. Therefore, you should keep both hands on the steering to be ready for any emergencies.

Dangers of Eating While Driving

• Risk of Sudden Moves

When you have less focus on driving and the road, you may react quickly to obstacles on the road. These moves can surprise other drivers and lead to dangerous situations.

• Slows Your Reaction Time

As you know, when you eat behind the wheel, your hands & mind will be busy. For that reason, you can’t make fast decisions to tackle any hazards on the highway.

• Cause Serious Accidents

Your careless driving will be dangerous for other road users. Because distractions cause major accidents and legal issues as well. As a result, your car and other vehicles may suffer from heavy damage.

• Shift Your Focus Away From Road

When you consume food while you operate a vehicle, it shifts your attention to other things instead of the road. If police see you in careless driving behavior, you may get a ticket.

Most Dangerous Foods to Eat While Driving

Following foods are more harmful and risky to eat when you drive your vehicle.

• Coffee & Soft Drinks: Liquid foods can easily splash if your car shakes or hits a bump. This suddenly shifts your focus and hands off the wheel.

• Tacos: Tacos are tricky to eat for you while driving. They can fall apart easily. Plus, pieces of meat, vegetables & sauce may drop, it suddenly distracts your attention.

• Chili: It’s risky for you to eat chili because it will be messy and hot. You may react quickly to avoid burn.

• Chocolate: Chocolate makes your hand sticky and slippery. This will reduce your grip on the steering.

• Juicy Hamburger: This snack has sauces, cheese or toppings that can also lead to greasy hands. It distracts you and causes you to lose control over the car.

• Fried Chicken: The crispy coating can break apart and its oil can make your hands slick. In this way, it’s hard for you to hold the steering wheel.

• Hot Soups/Barbequed Food: Hot liquid can spill and burn you easily. Plus, sticky sauces can make your hands messy and distract you from driving.

• Jelly and Cream Filled Donuts: This type of food can leak while you eat, which makes your hands messy. It loses your grip on the control wheel of your car.

• Powdered Donuts: The fine sugar can coat your fingers and also get in your eyes/mouth unexpectedly. This reduces your focus & leads to dangerous crashes.

Summary

Now you clearly know why it’s illegal for you to eat when you drive your vehicles on the road. You can also see how this action will be harmful to you and increase accident risks. Therefore, you must plan your meal before or after you drive. Otherwise, you may face unnecessary dangers and legal troubles.