Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) across the United States. While most people associate distractions with texting or adjusting the radio, eating while driving is an equally dangerous habit. Consuming food while driving divides a driver’s attention, delays reaction time, and increases the risk of losing control. Foods that are greasy, messy, require two hands, or are served hot and spillable pose the greatest threats. This blog post examines the risks of eating while driving, the types of foods to avoid, how these distractions can lead to severe injuries, and how integrative medicine and chiropractic care can support recovery.
Why Eating While Driving Is Dangerous
Eating while driving falls under the category of distracted driving. It can involve all three types of distraction:
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Visual: Taking your eyes off the road to grab a bite
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Manual: Removing one or both hands from the steering wheel
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Cognitive: Shifting your mental focus from driving to eating
This multi-level distraction makes eating while driving especially risky. According to research, eating or drinking while driving increases the risk of a crash by 80% (Farrin Law, n.d.).
Even seemingly harmless snacks, such as a granola bar or a fast-food sandwich, can cause significant distraction. When a driver spills food, their natural reaction is to clean it up—an instinct that may take their eyes and hands away from the road.
Citation: Farrin Law. (n.d.). Eating while driving increases crash probability by 80%
The Most Dangerous Foods to Eat Behind the Wheel
According to several studies, specific food items are particularly hazardous when consumed while driving. These foods often require two hands, are greasy or messy, and may be served so hot that they can cause burns or spills.
Some of the most dangerous foods include:
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Tacos: These often fall apart, dropping contents onto the driver
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Fried chicken: Greasy fingers can easily slip off the wheel
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Burgers: Require two hands and are messy to handle
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Chili and soups: Hot and prone to spilling
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Coffee and soft drinks: Can spill quickly and cause burns or a mess
Even items like powdered donuts can coat the fingers, causing the driver to become distracted while trying to clean up the mess.
Citation: Reliable Plant. (n.d.). 10 most dangerous foods to eat while driving
Why Greasy and Messy Foods Are a Hazard
Greasy foods such as burgers, pizza, or fried chicken leave residue on the hands, which can reduce grip on the steering wheel. This greasy film becomes a safety issue if the driver needs to make quick steering corrections. Additionally, messy foods often require the use of napkins or attention to avoid spillage, further reducing focus.
Food spills can also cause panic. For example, if hot coffee spills in your lap, your reflexes may cause you to jerk the wheel—potentially swerving into another lane or off the road. In these moments, the brain prioritizes the spill over safe driving.
Citation: McCoy & Sparks. (n.d.). Eating while driving: Is it dangerous?
Foods That Require Two Hands
Foods that require two hands to eat should never be consumed while driving. These include large burritos, subs, or items with extensive packaging, such as fast food meals. Even something as seemingly simple as peeling a banana or opening a granola bar wrapper can divert attention for several seconds.
A study conducted by The Zebra found that 70% of drivers admit to eating while driving, yet many are unaware of the risks associated with this behavior. Unwrapping food, balancing containers, or holding large items forces drivers to sacrifice steering control.
Citation: The Zebra. (n.d.). Dangerous meals while driving
The Legal and Financial Consequences of Eating While Driving
In many states, eating while driving can be classified as distracted driving, which can result in traffic citations, increased insurance premiums, and civil liabilities. Insurance companies often raise premiums for drivers who have been involved in accidents associated with distracted driving behavior.
If an accident results in injury due to eating while driving, the at-fault driver may face legal consequences, including paying for medical expenses, attorney fees, and property damage. These costs can be financially devastating, especially if the case escalates to litigation.
Citation: Winters & Yonker. (n.d.). How common are car accidents due to eating while driving?
Injuries Caused by Eating-Related MVAs
Motor vehicle accidents linked to distracted driving often cause:
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Whiplash
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Herniated discs
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Cervical spine trauma
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Nerve impingement
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Chronic neck and back pain
These injuries may not manifest immediately, but can lead to long-term mobility issues and pain. Chiropractic care, physical therapy, and integrative medical approaches are often needed to address these musculoskeletal injuries.
Citation: CB Law Group. (n.d.). Ways eating food increases chances of car accident
How Chiropractic and Integrative Medicine Can Help
Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, offers a unique, dual-scope approach to treating individuals involved in auto accidents. As both a nurse practitioner and chiropractor in El Paso, he combines medical diagnostics and holistic care to address the root causes of injury.
Dr. Jimenez utilizes advanced imaging techniques, functional assessments, and integrative treatments that restore alignment, reduce inflammation, and support nervous system recovery. His ability to bridge chiropractic and nurse practitioner services ensures that patients receive both clinical care and the necessary documentation for legal claims.
Many patients experiencing back and neck pain due to distracted driving accidents benefit from Dr. Jimenez’s multidisciplinary strategies, which may include:
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Chiropractic adjustments
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Soft tissue therapy
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Nutritional counseling
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Physical therapy
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Neurological screenings
Citation: Dr. Alex Jimenez. (n.d.). dralexjimenez.com
Conclusion: Eat Before or After Driving
The safest solution to prevent food-related distracted driving is simple: eat before or after your trip. If you're hungry, take a break. Stopping for 10 minutes to enjoy a snack safely can prevent a lifetime of regret from a serious or fatal accident. Prioritize your safety and the safety of others on the road.
Avoid foods that are greasy, hot, messy, or require two hands to eat. Recognize the true cost of distracted driving—which includes physical injury, legal consequences, and long-term health effects. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury caused by a distracted driver, seek care from professionals like Dr. Jimenez, who specializes in both medical recovery and legal documentation.
References
CB Law Group. (n.d.). Ways eating food increases chances of car accident. https://cblawgroup.com/ways-eating-food-increases-chances-of-car-accident/
Dr. Alex Jimenez. (n.d.). Dralexjimenez.com. https://www.dralexjimenez.com/
Farrin Law. (n.d.). Eating while driving increases crash probability by 80%. https://www.farrin.com/blog/eating-while-driving-increases-crash-probability-80/#:~:text=Slower%20Reaction%20Times,%2C%20we%20mean%20got%20slower.
McCoy & Sparks. (n.d.). Eating while driving: Is it dangerous?. https://www.mccoyandsparks.com/blog/eating-while-driving-is-it-dangerous/#:~:text=Most%20Dangerous%20Foods%20to%20Eat,Fried%20chicken
Reliable Plant. (n.d.). 10 most dangerous foods to eat while driving. https://www.reliableplant.com/Read/18890/10-most-dangerous-foods-to-eat-while-driving
The Zebra. (n.d.). Dangerous meals while driving. https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/dangerous-meals-while-driving/#:~:text=Although%20every%20meal%20consumed%20behind,foods%20to%20eat%20while%20driving.
Winters & Yonker. (n.d.). How common are car accidents due to eating while driving?. https://www.wintersandyonker.com/blog/how-common-are-car-accidents-due-to-eating-while-driving/
General Disclaimer *
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and physical medicine, as well as wellness, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and the jurisdiction in which they are licensed to practice. We utilize functional health and wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and identified relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol. To discuss the subject matter above further, please contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or us at 915-50-0900.
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
Email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
