How to Eat While Driving

Along with talking on your cell phone, smoking and applying make-up, eating is one of the most distracting things to do behind the wheel of a car. Almost 70 percent of drivers admit to eating on the road and this is unlikely to change any time soon. To try to prevent accidents there are some things you can do while munching.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Take care, liquid can be lethal. The most dangerous thing to consume in your vehicle is coffee. Hot liquids such as soup and tea are more likely to spill because of the containers that they are in. Not only can they stain the upholstery of your vehicle but they can also burn you, increasing the risk of an accident.
2. Pass on the candy. Not only will this help your waistline but limit the mess of sticky chocolate fingers in your vehicle. The same is true of barbecued and fried foods, which also cause greasy marks and messes. Have some napkins or wipes on hand in your car.
3. Be healthy. With the majority of easily accessible foods being fast food drive-throughs, it's easy to pile on the calories while on the road. Choose low fat wraps, protein or cereal bars, 100-calorie packs and pieces of sliced fruit instead of greasy hamburgers and tacos. For more ideas, visit health food shops or websites (see resources).
4. Wrap it up. Salads and tacos have many different (and messy) ingredients, which increases the chance of something falling on your lap or dribbling on your hands and face. Shredded cheese, lettuce, beans and finely chopped meats or vegetables are things to avoid. Sandwiches that have few solid ingredients are a better choice and wraps that are firmly together limit the opportunities for spills.
5. Pull off and clean up. Perhaps more dangerous than the distraction of eating in the car is trying to clean up spills. Stop in a safe place before you attempt to clean up any mess.

Tips & Warnings

• Water is the best drink to have, as it causes no burns or stains.
• To prevent crumbs inside the car, swing legs out first when getting out.
• Vehicles with a stick shift can double the likelihood of an accident.