Commuters are often distracted during their drive. In some cases, a worker may start checking their email or trying to respond to business-related text messages in the car. In other cases, workers may do personal grooming on the way into the office, or they may simply get distracted listening to the radio or trying to follow their GPS.
Most people think that if they cut out cellphone interactions, they are eliminating their risk of a distracted driving accident. But for a lot of commuters, that’s not necessarily true. There’s one significant and common distraction they may be overlooking: Drinking a cup of coffee.
Why is coffee a distraction?
The issue with eating and drinking in the car is that it can distract a driver on multiple levels. If the driver has to hold the coffee cup with one hand, that’s one hand that isn’t on the steering wheel. If they have to tip the cup upward to take a drink, it’s harder for them to see the road.
Plus, there’s always the chance of a spill. Accidents have happened because drivers spill coffee and lose control of the vehicle or look down as they try to clean up—meaning they’re not watching traffic around them.
This is a serious issue to consider when you look at the fact that 66% of Americans have a daily cup of coffee. For many commuters, the morning drive includes hitting a drive-through to pick up a cup of coffee on the way to work. As such, they may be distracted every single day without even realizing it.
Seeking compensation
Have you been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver? You may be able to seek financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and much more.
