Should driving while eating and drinking beverages be outlawed?

1. 73

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   Should driving while eating and drinking beverages be outlawed?
   
   Eating while driving causes 80% of all car accidents according to a recent study by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many states and cities have outlawed the use of hand held cell phones while driving. Do you think eating and drinking while driving is unsafe? Should all "distracted driving" activities be outlawed? Have you heard of anyone being killed due to someone's eating while driving?
   
   

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2. 48

   erorantesposted 10 years ago

   It is the wrong thing to do. It is the same  problem like using hand cream while you are driving.   You are allert on the road if you are driving with out using your hands for something else. You need to plan your meals. Most people buy the fast food to eat it at home or at work.  On long driving , there are a lot  of resting places. It is prohibit to get distract it from driving. You get a ticket if you are not doing the right things while you are drving.

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3. 78

   Amanda108posted 10 years ago

   Absolutely NOT, it should not be outlawed. We can't ban everything and that's what some people seem to want to do - either that or they're hypocrites because they want to ban some activities and not others that could be deemed distracting.
   
   For example, when a big sneeze comes on you have to close your eyes while driving! Coughing is also quite the distraction. Nausea in pregnant women. Changing the radio station. Talking to a fellow passenger. And the most distracting thing of all? Noisy, fighting KIDS. Maybe kids shouldn't be allowed in cars. ;-)
   
   I feel that it's up to an individual to know what distracts them and what doesn't. For example, I used to know a woman who never used her cell phone in the car, but when talking to you as a passenger would instinctively turn her head to look at you. Clearly for her any talking at all should have been personally banned. But other people pay more attention to the road when they are doing an activity like eating because they're aware of the potential danger. Whereas if they're just driving their mind might wander.
   
   It's not like alcohol, which in every single case affects judgement. Things like eating and drinking (non-alcoholic beverages) may or *may not* be too much of a distraction.
   
   My point is that this is a case by case issue and that I hate generalizations.
   
   Good question!

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   1. 73

      dashingscorpioposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks! I came up with this question after hearing about one of the American Idol contestants getting a ticket for eating an ice cream cone while driving. The ticket was for $183! In some places that's the price for running a red light! :-)

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4. 82

   WiccanSageposted 10 years ago

   I agree with amanda that we don't need to have bans for everything, but at the same time individuals don't seem to be able to be honest (or even aware) of what really distracts them and what doesn't. They also like to push those  boundaries at the risk of their own and other's safety, all for convenience. It's one thing to pick on some chips or drink your coffee, another to be chowing down on a meal that requires both hands.
   
   My thought always goes to the worry of what if I started choking? That would be awful.

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5. 0

   sheilamyersposted 10 years ago

   We wouldn't even need to be asking this question if people would use some common sense while they're driving. The lady in the picture you provide has no common sense. At least one hand should have a firm grip on the steering wheel at all times. I've never seen anyone almost wreck or cause an accident by eating or drinking if they're only doing one or the other. Doing both at the same time is stupid.

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6. 84

   Hackslapposted 10 years ago

   No it is wrong to ban it all together... especially during long drives you need to keep yourself hydrated... that's why many cars come equipped with cup holders.... the ban on cellphones exists because while it may not be a distraction to hold your cellphone to your ear and drive one handed ...it is a safety issue considering the amount of time one can be at it..not to forget the amount of time one spends looking at their phone to text or dial the number and not looking at the road.....hence the ban on cellphones exists

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7. 79

   jaydawg808posted 10 years ago

   No, and this will be very hard to enforce. Eating, yes, I can understand. However drinking (non alcoholic beverages of course) will be a little hard. There's a reason for cup holders in cars. And that's to drink. If done correctly, which seems hard to do for some which are getting into accidents, nothing is wrong with it. But people just need to be aware of surroundings. That's all. It's not that hard.

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8. 0

   SandCastlesposted 10 years ago

   There are distracted driving laws. A person shouldn't be eating food that distracts them from driving, like a sloppy joe or something. But people should remember, when they are driving, driving is their first priority. A person can pull over to munch their lunch or stop for a bite to eat. Taking a swig of water or coffee, no big deal. But eating hot food that could drop on their lap or spill-that's not a good idea. And if they get ticketed, maybe they'll think twice because safety comes first. They can wait to take that bite of sandwich. Wait for a red light.

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9. 60

   Foodeeeposted 10 years ago

   The Study by the NTSA says that 80% automobile accidents are caused by "distractions" eating is one of these distractions they list but the top of the list is cell phone use which includes talking or texting. The list also includes things like reaching for something in the car, or looking at something outside the car. If you can believe this, reading a book or putting on makeup.  Just so you know its not all from eating and driving.
   
   I don't eat and drive because I don't want to get food on my clothes or all over the car. I have been known to look at something off the road and then slightly turn that direction. Yes, I have to pay attention because I'll admit I not the best driver. I have never been in an accident so it must be divine intervention.
   
   I say let people perform life threatening acts all they want. Less dumb and foolish people in the world the better. As long as they don't drag anyone else down with them.

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   1. 73

      dashingscorpioposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I guess it depends which article you read. This one says: "Eating while driving causes 80% of all car accidents." Dumb people can hurt innocent ones http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/eat … e-1.427796

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10. 39

    ijdmtoyposted 10 years ago

    We shouldn't ban everything, however people need to exercise good judgement when it comes to dealing with distractions. Small finger foods like snacks don't impair one's driving ability as much as juggling a burger, fries, coke, and the steering wheel all at the same time. Everyone is different. What's extremely distracting for one person may be a cakewalk for another.

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