Distracted Driver Alert: The Most Dangerous Foods to Eat While Driving

In 2017 alone, 3,166 deaths were caused by distracted driving. These drivers were distracted by a number of different stimuli. However, one of the most common stimuli was food.

Drinking and eating while driving is dangerous for a number of different reasons. Not only does it force us to take our eyes off the road, but it also preoccupies our minds, preventing us from driving with our full faculties.

Nonetheless, you're probably going to continue eating in the car. For this reason, you should know that some foods are more dangerous to eat while driving than are others.

Curious as to what these foods are? Then read on! We're going to discuss the most dangerous foods to eat while driving.

What are the Most Dangerous Foods to Eat While Driving?

All foods can be dangerous to eat while driving. However, some foods are particularly troubling. They are as follows.

Chocolate

Chocolate has a number of benefits. Not only is it undeniably delicious, but it also provides a shot of energy to all of those who consume it.

However, this doesn't mean you should eat it while operating a motor vehicle. The fact of the matter is, due to its ability to smear, chocolate can create quite the distraction.

One second you're enjoying its sugary goodness, the next you're doing everything you can to wipe it off your turning steering wheel. Accidents are bound to happen.

Coffee

Another food that you shouldn't eat while driving is coffee. Why? Because coffee is exceedingly hot and could easily cause you to burn your mouth and lose control of your vehicle.

"But doesn't everyone drink coffee while driving?", you might ask. Well, sure. But that doesn't mean that it's safe.

In fact, the more people who are drinking coffee while driving, the more dangerous the roads become. In other words, look out on your morning commute!

Soup

It doesn't seem feasible, but, nonetheless, it happens. That's right, some people eat soup while driving.

For obvious reasons, this is a dangerous activity. Not only is soup hot and capable of burning one's mouth, but it's difficult to consume, often requiring the use of two hands.

Not to mention, soup can easily be spilled. Should you spill soup while driving, you're bound to take your eyes off the road. Once this happens, you're at much higher risk of an accident.

Cereal

You woke up late and didn't have time for breakfast. So, naturally, you're going to eat cereal during your commute, right? Let's hope not.

Unless you can pour it directly into your mouth, there's nothing safe about eating cereal while driving. Holding a spoon with one hand, a bowl with the other hand, and steering with your knees is about as dangerous an activity as one can imagine.

Tacos

As far as finger foods go, tacos rank right up there with the best of them. They're cheap, they're tasty, and they don't require the use of utensils.

However, this doesn't mean that you should eat them while operating a motor vehicle. While tacos are great finger foods, they're also endlessly messy.

Every bite that's taken out of a taco results in even further spillage, with everything from meat, to cheese, to lettuce falling onto the eater's lap. This is not a situation which jibes with driving, as all of this spillage is bound to create a distraction that takes the eater's eyes away from the road.

Donuts

Donuts are undeniably delicious, but they're not good driving foods. Why? Well, for a number of reasons.

For one, donuts are covered in a variety of messy substances, from cinnamon, to glaze, to powdered sugar, and more. All of these substances can spread to the steering wheel, creating an unignorable distraction.

In addition, some donuts are filled with messy substances, including but not limited to cream, jelly, and custard. If you've ever eaten such a donut before, you know how easily these substances can spill out onto one's lap. Again, if this happens, distraction is likely.

Fried Foods

Another type of food to avoid while driving is fried food. Everything from fried chicken to french fries to churros can create unsafe driving conditions.

What's so unsafe about fried foods? They're greasy! They're so greasy, in fact, that they can compromise one's grip on a steering wheel.

Plus, attempting to wipe all of that grease off of your hands is almost sure to create a distraction.

Pop/Soda

A can of pop can be hugely helpful in keeping one alert during a long drive. However, it's not advisable to drink that pop while in the process of driving.

Not only could the fizz from pop cause you to wince or start coughing, but you could also incidentally drop your pop can, causing a distraction that's sure to take your eyes off the road for a few seconds. Just know that every time you drink a can of pop while driving, you run the risk of increasing your car insurance premium. You can learn more here.

Chili

There's nothing like a bowl of chili to keep you warm on a cool day. However, that doesn't mean that you should eat it while you're driving. In fact, you should make sure to never eat it while you're driving.

Chili is a messy food, to say the least. That, combined with the fact that it requires the use of two hands, makes it a terrible driving food.

Barbecue

One last food that is dangerous to eat while driving is barbecue. Barbecue chicken, barbecue ribs, and all other forms of barbecued food are messy, sticky, and a complete hindrance to all forms of responsible driving.

If you have a burning desire to indulge in barbecue, wait until you've gotten off the road.

Save That Food for Another Time

All the foods discussed above are undoubtedly tasty. However, as the most dangerous foods to eat while driving, they have no place as the snacks of those who are operating motor vehicles.

Looking to try these foods at another time? Need help making them? If so, the BLOGLOVIN' food and drink page might be of use to you. Explore our food and drink articles now!