Drivers are risking serious incidents by eating at the wheel

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Figures from a new report have revealed that far too many drivers are eating food while driving.

 

Results from a survey conducted by road safety charity Brake in partnership with insurance company, Direct Line, shows that more than six in ten (62 per cent) have eaten at the wheel in the past year.

 

Three in ten (29 per cent) unwrapped food themselves at the wheel – a telling symptom of busy lifestyles potentially putting lives at risk. Studies have suggested eating a meal at the wheel increases your risk of a devastating crash as much as talking on a phone.

 

One in 50 asked said they had narrowly avoided a crash in the past year, having had to brake or swerve to avoid a hazard because they were distracted by food or drink.

 

Brake and Direct Line’s survey also states that one in five drivers admit to doing their hair, applying make-up or otherwise tidying up their appearance while at the wheel. One in 20 admit doing so in free-flowing traffic, risking a crash.

 

Eating at the wheel is part of the wider problem of distracted drivers, believed to contribute to around one in five crashes (22 per cent). Drivers who attempt to multi-task at the wheel are two to three times more likely to crash, and complex tasks like unwrapping and eating a burger increase the risk even more.

 

Julie Townsend, Deputy Chief Executive, Brake, said: “Driving is the most complicated and risky thing most of us do on a regular basis, so it is vital we give it our full and undivided attention. We can’t afford to treat our cars as an extension of our kitchen or bathroom. Drivers need to take regular breaks and make time away from their vehicles to enjoy lunch or perform other tasks. We are also appealing to government to increase fines for distraction and careless driving offences, to stop risky multi-tasking drivers.”

 

Rob Miles, Director of Motor at Direct Line, commented: “It’s imperative that motorists focus their full attention on the road. There has been significant research into the increase in drivers’ reaction times while talking on a mobile phone, but other in-car distractions that take the driver’s attention away from the road can be equally harmful.”

 

 

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