The Dangers Of Eating And Drinking Whilst Driving.

Eating and drinking behind the wheel is a potentially very dangerous activity to take part in. In fact, it is thought that eating and drinking is just as dangerous as talking on a hand-held mobile phone. Talking on a mobile whilst driving has now been made a criminal offence in the UK but research has shown that even taking a sip out of a bottle of water or scoffing a chocolate bar is enough to lose concentration and cause a crash. Frighteningly, it is thought that those who eat behind the wheel dramatically increase their chances of having a car crash by as much as double!

Research was carried out at Brunel University in London and consisted of tests to see how eating and drinking behind the wheel could affect the risk of being involved in a road traffic accident. The participants were asked to drive a route and at one point a pedestrian would step out. The first time round the participants wouldn’t eat anything and on the second time they would be eating sweets and swigging from a bottle. The results were then compared and they were pretty conclusive. The number of car crashes actually doubled on the second drive with nine out of ten drivers colliding with the pedestrian.

In real life, such collisions caused by eating and drinking behind the wheel would have serious consequences. A person could be very seriously injured and the risk of a road traffic claim compensation being filed is greatly increased. The results of this research and other real-life claims strongly indicate that eating and drinking while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Further research has shown that many of us regularly munch a packet or crisps or a chocolate bar whilst driving and think nothing of it. In fact 70% of people interviewed admitted to regularly eating and drinking at the wheel. You may not realise how dangerous it is at the time but it really can cause problems.

Although eating and drinking behind the wheel is not against the law, drivers can be charged with careless driving or not being in full control of their vehicle and this can result in a hefty fine. Recent media stories have highlighted the importance of being safe behind the wheel with motorists being fined from eating anything from an apple to a Kit Kat. In the end it comes down to the discretion of the police whether or not a motorist's actions are putting them or others at risk on the roads. 

If you have been injured in a car crash caused by someone eating or drinking behind the wheel then you could be entitled to make a road accident claim for compensation. To see whether your case is suitable or not contact Accident Consult today for more information.