Photo: RobFargo / Flickr

You know that talking on a mobile phone while driving is dangerous, but have you considered that eating while driving could be just as bad? According to American insurance companies, some foods are dangerous to eat while driving because they slow down your reaction time, increasing your likelihood of being in an accident. Here’s what not to eat when you’re at the wheel.

Hot food and drinks

Soup and coffee are absolute no-nos when driving. Even with the lid on, coffee is likely to spill when you go over a bump or have to stop suddenly. Soup in a cup poses the same problem. Even if spilling hot liquid all over yourself while driving doesn’t cause an accident, it could well cause a burn. Hot drinks in the car can hurt you.

Fast foods

You’d think that fast foods, designed to be eaten on the run, would not be on this list. Actually, three top take-out favourites are among the most dangerous foods of all to eat when driving. Tacos are a bad idea, because when they fall apart – as they will – you are distracted from driving. Hamburgers are not a good idea because they are eaten with your hands. Grease from hamburgers can get onto the steering wheel, which could make it slippery. Hot dogs are dangerous because, like tacos, they disassemble while you eat them.

Sweets

Chocolate, even though it comes neatly wrapped in a bar and is easy to eat, also shouldn’t be eaten by drivers. When chocolate melts in warm weather, it could easily fall on the steering wheel. Getting it off without swerving is very nearly impossible.

Jam doughnuts are a problem because they ooze. Just like with melted chocolate, wiping sticky jam off the steering wheel, or off you, isn’t safe when driving either.

You’d be better off not eating at all when you drive. But if you must, avoid these foods.

Tags: driving