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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg In a separate study of 1,000 drivers, ExxonMobil Corp. discovered more than 70% of drivers eat while driving - and 83% drink beverages. (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/07/19/2009-07-19_eatdrive_sure_recipe_for_a_crash.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/eating_and_driving.jpgJamie Locher and Owen Moritz - NYDAILYNEWS (http://www.nydailynews.com) - Jul 18, 2009

Interesting charge. Meanwhile the NYT has a subscription article flatly stating distracted drivers don't give a damn to the hazard. :mad: --Ed.

Wait till you get home to eat that drive-thru.

A new study shows a staggering 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near misses are caused by distracted drivers more focused on their burgers than the road.

"Distractions like eating can become a problem for drivers who can't react quickly to a sharp curve," according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/07/19/2009-07-19_eatdrive_sure_recipe_for_a_crash.html#ixzz0LicfvOI1
... http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/07/19/2009-07-19_eatdrive_sure_recipe_for_a_crash.html

I applaud the fellow in the picture for eating while parked. He even used the parking brake in addition to putting the transmission in park! :thumbs_up:

Thought-provoking, but 80% seems too high - drunks and phones do a considerable amount of damage, too.

I applaud the fellow in the picture for eating while parked. He even used the parking break in addition to putting the transmission in park! :thumbs_up:

I only looked to see if he was using the proper driving technique with his knee. Good eye, Sean. :D - Dale

The NY Daily News' reputation for accuracy is questionable, so I looked around NHTSA's site for the original research. I think what the article refers to is the study described in this press release (http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.416f74e8613992381601031046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=4427b997caacf504a8bdba101891ef9a_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_4427b997caacf504a8bdba101891ef9a_viewID=detail_view&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=token&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=token&itemID=71052f9b8559a010VgnVCM1000002c567798RCRD&viewType=standard). The press release cites cellphone usage rather than eating as its prime example of distracted driving.

To me the most interesting quote from the press release is: "Reaching for a moving object increased the risk of a crash or near-crash by 9 times; looking at an external object by 3.7 times; reading by 3 times; applying makeup by 3 times; dialing a hand-held device (typically a cell phone) by almost 3 times; and talking or listening on a hand-held device by 1.3 times."

There isn't a low enough poll option for my estimate of share of accidents caused by eating and driving. I'd guess that it is less significant cause of distraction than, say, watching women pedestrians or driving with preschoolers in the car.