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Is eating and drinking while driving illegal?
I heard somewhere that eating or drinking while you drive is illegal. I love fast food and often snack on the road. Is there a law against eating and drinking while driving, or is this just a myth?
Maxine Boyko · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good news! There’s no specific law that prohibits eating and drinking nonalcoholic beverages behind the wheel. However, if your snacking habits distract you from
driving safely
, you could be charged with distracted, reckless, or negligent driving, all of which are illegal.If you must eat or drink while driving, try to avoid:
Food and beverages that can burn, like coffee and soup
Foods that require two hands to eat
Anything that results in cleanup while driving
Food or drink that causes brain freeze, choking, or other problematic physical outcomes
Small bite-sized snacks that can be stored in open containers—like grapes—are much safer.
Of course, the safest option would be to wait until you are parked to enjoy your meal. While you’re parked and snacking, take 45 seconds to shop for a lower rate on your car insurance from your phone using the
Jerry
app. Jerry shops for low prices from more than 50 top insurance companies, so you don’t have to handle any paperwork or phone calls. If you decide to switch policies, Jerry will sign you help and help you cancel your old plan.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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