Eating and drinking behind the wheel could become illegal?
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
United States
August 10, 2016 5:27am CST
Alright, I love this 'potential' law that New Jersey lawmakers are trying to pass. Distracted driving means not giving driving 100 percent right? Well, using a cell phone, is distracting isn't it? So is eating while driving.
I wish Tennessee would make a stab at this law. It amazes me how people drive on the interstate at 90 mph with a burger in one hand and a soda in the other - who is steering the car?
I know, I know - some of these 'laws' sound goofy and almost impossible to enforce. But when you think about it, a person operating a 'killing machine' who is scarfing down large fries or a triple bacon burger is a potential accident looking for a place to happen.
If you are interested you can read more about this law in the link below.
Photo: pixabay.com/en/cadillac-oldtimer-vintage-car-154920/
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/32720727/one-state-wants-to-ban-drivers-from-eating-drinking-while-behind-the-wheel
22 people like this
24 responses
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
10 Aug 16
In the UK this situation is already covered by the law. It would fall under either not driving with due care and attention or failing to be in control of the vehicle.
People have been prosecuted under these laws for eating and/or drinking.
Quite right too in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
What kind of fines are imposed on those caught eating and driving?
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
@WorDazza Ok, thanks, I was curious.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
10 Aug 16
@AbbyGreenhill I'm not sure. I don't think they're fixed penalty offences (usually about £60) so it may be up to the discretion of the magistrates. I would suspect a few hundred pounds would be the ballpark.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
I don't drive, but while riding in a car I pay attention to everything . I feel like i'm my husband's second set of eyes and reflexes! I don't eat int he car and neither does he.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
@miniam I am the navigator on trips - I can get us anyplace w/o a map, he gets lost backing out of the driveway some days LOL!
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
10 Aug 16
@AbbyGreenhill
Just hope you do not give him directions when you`re a passanger, my X was(still is) terrible at thât,he`s a passanger but tells you when to blink,turn,slow........ it`s not fun at all
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
10 Aug 16
I read on this and it's not a bad idea. I see people driving and doing their make up also. Me I have tried to eat and drive and it does not work for me. I don't even use my phone when driving like alot of people do.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
I believe that we all need to pay much more attention to what we do, especially in a car. If more people did the right thing there would be no need for such laws.
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
10 Aug 16
It's better if I can eat gummy bears while driving. It dissipates my road rage, which is much more dangerous than chewing the little things. Although, since I got my newer car, I have been less ragey because of more leg room. I think being cramped with sore knees was an added factor.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
I can see how an uncomfortable car can make for an uncomfortable person!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
@OneOfMany Eating a gummy bear isn't quite the same as eating a sub - which I've seen people do - and I live on a back country road and I've seen how people drive - 70 mph on a country road with a big mac in hand is not a good thing.
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
10 Aug 16
@AbbyGreenhill A hungry and thirsty person can make for an uncomfortable person as well, and you know that people are so time limited that they would forgo eating and drinking in order to get somewhere, and might rush as a result, creating an even more dangerous situation. I don't think laws should be made without research, and if it's more about location on a busy highway eating a sloppy burger or sub, rather than being on a country road eating gummy bears (which require one hand occasionally, and who drives with two hands these days? I drive with 2 fingers lately).
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
10 Aug 16
I think its a great idea and I hope we see that law everywhere soon. I am happy the UK has this law. I have been known to eat a buger as I drive and will admit it is not a good idea. I have to stop to order a burger, why not just sit down and enjoy it.... Thanks for this post, you have changed my ways... I will not eat and drive again but my water bottle will always remain in my cup holder.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
Thanks!!! It might also cut down on all the trash thrown out along our roads!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
10 Aug 16
@AbbyGreenhill I would never toss trash out my window and everyone else should kn
ow better too...
ow better too...1 person likes this
@paigea (35760)
• Canada
10 Aug 16
@AbbyGreenhill That would be a nice benefit too.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
10 Aug 16
Doing all that has been illegal in the UK for years.
Same as smoking in a car that has kids in is banned and soon smoking at all in a car will probably be banned too.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
I wish cigs had never been invented - I smoked for too may years, 4 packs/day the last few years that I smoked...quit cold turkey in 2001 and have COPD.....of course I never listened when I was told how bad it is for you.
2 people like this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
10 Aug 16
@AbbyGreenhill I smoke too but have cut down significantly to where some weeks I don't smoke at all.
@PurnaSharma (2557)
• Guwahati, India
10 Aug 16
I am too against doing anything else while driving..definitely it will help a lot,if it pass.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
Very true, and let's hope this law, if passed, helps.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
10 Aug 16
I am not sure we could ever make enough laws to protect people from their own stupidity
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
Castration would take care of that issue.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35760)
• Canada
10 Aug 16
They have talked about that here too. As it is here, one can be charged with distracted driving if they are driving erratically due to eating or drinking, or dealing with stereo, or any activity. So some think there is no need to actually outlaw having a snack or beverage while driving.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
There is a rule about having two hands on the steering wheel - or maybe they did away with that one!
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
10 Aug 16
That indeed is accident waiting to happen. On a highway at that. That can turn fatal real quick! 
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
Yes, it only takes a few seconds of not paying attention to cause horrible pain for yourself and others.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Aug 16
Yes, but to define the law? Are you only guilty with no hands on the wheel stuffing the face or can you have one hand on the wheel while holding that burger? Are you guilty if both hands are on the wheel but your mouth is chewing something and the mere act of chewing allows a cop to pull you over? Is this really about safety or another means of government control over action?
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
Its atoher way to try to save lives....it's u to them to figure out the details, but I would bet the farm that there won't be too many 'stops' for this violation if it passes....but with that said, NJ is always looking to get citizens to part with their money.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
@JohnRoberts Not sure how you read that comment i left w/all the typos ! My fingers are on vacation - waiting for the new fridge to arrive....on my vacation time...ugh
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
10 Aug 16
if it really evade accidents, there is no reason the bill should not be pass.
1 person likes this
@ModernDayWriter (3318)
• New Delhi, India
10 Aug 16
Drinking should be prohibited while driving
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
11 Aug 16
Texting, eating and drinking behind the wheel is already illegal in the UK and has been for some time. It carries a heavy fine which has reduced the accident rate. There are some that still do it of course.
@JESSY3236 (18953)
• United States
10 Aug 16
That would be bad for my uncle since he sometimes eats and drives.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
People need to slow down and save lives.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
10 Aug 16
It's illegal but how many people still do it....probably most. People don't seem to pay attention to many laws.
1 person likes this
