Eating while driving causes 80% of all car accidents
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:19 pm
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/200 ... crash.html
Eating while driving causes 80% of all car accidents, study shows
By Jamie Locher and Owen Moritz
DAILY NEWS WRITERS
Sunday, July 19th 2009, 4:00 AM
Ut/AP
Eating and/or drinking in the car is responsible for a staggering 80 percent of auto accidents, a new study shows.
Wait till you get home to eat that drive-thru.
A new study shows a staggering 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near misses are caused by distracted drivers more focused on their burgers than the road.
"Distractions like eating can become a problem for drivers who can't react quickly to a sharp curve," according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In addition to burgers, the study has ranked the worst foods to eat behind the wheel based on a survey of drivers.
Coffee is the worst, bringing new meaning to the adage "don't drink and drive."
"Even with a travel lid, hot coffee can find its way out of the opening when you hit a bump," the study said.
The study puts the other culprits in this order: soup, tacos, chili dogs, hamburgers, ribs and wings, fried chicken, jelly doughnuts, soda and chocolate.
On-the-go New Yorkers contend you can drive and eat, and they won't stop multitasking.
"When I'm at a light, I take a bite," said Lisa Perez, 29, of Fort Lee, N.J.
Dee Kesney, 24, of East New York, Brooklyn, acknowledged that biting into a hamburger while driving can pose a challenge.
"With the burger, the pickle might fall out and you might reach for that pickle," he said.
In a separate study of 1,000 drivers, ExxonMobil Corp. discovered more than 70% of drivers eat while driving - and 83% drink beverages.
Eating while driving causes 80% of all car accidents, study shows
By Jamie Locher and Owen Moritz
DAILY NEWS WRITERS
Sunday, July 19th 2009, 4:00 AM
Ut/AP
Eating and/or drinking in the car is responsible for a staggering 80 percent of auto accidents, a new study shows.
Wait till you get home to eat that drive-thru.
A new study shows a staggering 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near misses are caused by distracted drivers more focused on their burgers than the road.
"Distractions like eating can become a problem for drivers who can't react quickly to a sharp curve," according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In addition to burgers, the study has ranked the worst foods to eat behind the wheel based on a survey of drivers.
Coffee is the worst, bringing new meaning to the adage "don't drink and drive."
"Even with a travel lid, hot coffee can find its way out of the opening when you hit a bump," the study said.
The study puts the other culprits in this order: soup, tacos, chili dogs, hamburgers, ribs and wings, fried chicken, jelly doughnuts, soda and chocolate.
On-the-go New Yorkers contend you can drive and eat, and they won't stop multitasking.
"When I'm at a light, I take a bite," said Lisa Perez, 29, of Fort Lee, N.J.
Dee Kesney, 24, of East New York, Brooklyn, acknowledged that biting into a hamburger while driving can pose a challenge.
"With the burger, the pickle might fall out and you might reach for that pickle," he said.
In a separate study of 1,000 drivers, ExxonMobil Corp. discovered more than 70% of drivers eat while driving - and 83% drink beverages.