What is a common distraction related to food while driving?

Eating a snack while driving is a common distraction because it requires the driver to shift their attention away from the road to manage their food. This can involve using one hand to hold the snack or drink, which takes that hand off the steering wheel, and looking down to grab or bite the food. Such actions impede the driver’s ability to respond quickly to sudden changes in traffic conditions or obstacles, increasing the risk of accidents.

In contrast, carrying groceries in the backseat or having an empty drink in the car do not actively divert attention from driving as these do not require handling or immediate focus while the vehicle is in motion. Pulling over to eat at a rest area is a safe practice and takes the driver out of the roadway environment, thereby eliminating the distraction associated with eating while actively driving.