The Motherly Perils Of Eating And Driving

My first two cars were stick shifts. At the gutsy age of 16, I bought my very first car – a Renault Le Car (brand new and gold with black accents, 4 fantastic speeds, a stereo complete with tape cassette and, if ever there was a set of wheels that could be dubbed a lemon, this was it.)

Moving on, at the perky age of 20 I scored the hottest car in these parts — a brand new Pontiac Firebird. It was shiny, white, loaded with air conditioning, headlights that flipped up out of the sleek hood (when one got stuck it could actually wink!) a special spot that could dangle two tree air fresheners at the time, five speeds, and best of all—a custom drink holder that could handle value-sized mega cups.  It was heaven on wheels and, before I knew it, it was meals on wheels as well.

And so it began –an iced tea here, a chocolate shake there, here a burger, there a donut. I now had the means to drive to classes, cruise into the drive-thru and grab my lunch and then make it to work on time all while munching on a #9 filet 'o fish without cheese, deliciously hot and salty fries – I’m not telling what size – and the largest Coke I could fit in that swell drink holder of mine.

Back then (sigh) there were no cell phones, so the only multi-tasking I was doing was wiping the tartar sauce off my steering wheel, shifting eons of times each time I approached a traffic light and singing to Aerosmith or Barry Manilow (depended on my mood – big lips or big hair!) 

No big deal! Or, so I thought.

Fast forward 25 years, two teen drivers, cell phones and navigational systems, heated leather seats, multi-functional stereo systems, DVD players, special seats for our pets and, not only cup holders, but built-in tray tables for four and a waitress! (Well, almost!)

As a mother who is constantly shoving way more in her schedule than is humanly possible, I readily admit to the unthinkable—eating and driving!  I didn't adapt this absurd habit from those who drove before me, either. My mother, with five kids, may have broken the law by letting us ride in the back of the station wagon without being strapped in with seat belts, but I can’t recall a time when I ever saw her scoffing down a taco while getting us to softball practice on time. 

Me, well, that’s another story completely. My kids would be the first to tell you that their mother can cruise the local rotary all while sipping Crystal Light, eating the forbidden apple, popping a Tic Tac, getting rid of the yolk on the egg McMuffin and discussing "War and Peace," and this just during the breakfast hour. I shudder to think what they could reveal about my dinner habits!

So, why do intelligent folks like me (thank you for letting me plug myself just once) take such unnecessary risks like trying to eat a three-course meal on the go with such precious cargo – our children – in the car while doing so? And worse: not realize that, not only what a bad example this is to our kids, but how dangerous it can be...not to mention what a disservice we are doing to ourselves as human beings, to treat our own bodies in such a frantic, harried state? 

I’ve got one answer. Priorities. We are overscheduled and have taken to eating on the run like turning water on in our faucets: it’s a mindless function that we just do without thinking.

Now, I’m speaking for myself, of course, but now that I have two children driving, I’d like them to handle things behind the wheel, and in their lives, a bit differently than their mother has.

As a country, and rightly so, we’ve given a lot of attention to not texting and driving. Well, the buck doesn’t stop there. Yesterday, I saw a gentleman pull out of Dunkin Donuts with his piping hot cup of heaven in one hand and a jelly donut in the other. Granny Nootjens stopped short in front of him and guess what he clung to when he had to swerve out of harm’s way?  Yep, the donut!

You know, of course, where that steaming cup of coffee landed don’t you? You got it, his stick shift!  (In case you’re wondering how I knew this, the pained look on his face gave it away!)

I know one thing for sure: I don’t want my son to spill his scalding coffee on his stick shift some day, so I’ve vowed to turn over a new leaf – I mean steering wheel – and start driving a bit differently! 

The next time you have the urge to eat and drive, I urge you to pull over and just BE.  That’s right—just be!  Nothing is as important as driving safely for those on the road around you, those in the car with you and certainly you as a smart human being deserve to be safe in your own wheels as well.

Bet you didn’t know that spending just 10 minutes of quiet time each day – just 10 minutes – is proven to increase your overall happiness in life.  If all you have is 10 minutes to eat on the go in between stops, why not pull over, pull out a napkin, unwrap your burger and quietly eat it and give thanks for the few moments of peace you are now eating up! Who knows, you might not only gain a new handle on happiness but you could be avoiding a terrible accident and saving a life as well!

Oh, and if you’re wondering what the top 10 foods are that have been cited as causing accidents to motorists while driving, AAA has furnished this helpful ist for you and yours.

1. Coffee: It always finds a way out of the cup.

2. Hot soup: Many people drink it like coffee and run the same risks.

3. Tacos: A food that can disassemble itself without much help, leaving your car looking like a salad bar..

4. Chili: The potential for drips and slops down the front of clothing is significant.

5. Hamburgers: From the grease of the burger to the ketchup and mustard on top, plenty of goop can end up on your hands, clothes and steering wheel.

6. Barbecued food: Similar issue arises for barbecued foods as for hamburgers. The sauce may be great, but it will end up on whatever you touch.

7. Fried chicken: Another food that leaves you with greasy hands, which means constantly wiping them on something, even if it's your shirt. It also makes the steering wheel greasy.

8. Jelly- or cream-filled doughnuts: Has anyone ever eaten a jelly doughnut without some of the center oozing out? And jelly can be difficult to remove from material.

9. Soft drinks: Not only are they subject to spills, but they also can fizz as you're drinking them if you make sudden movements. Most of us have childhood memories of soda fizz in the nose; the sensation isn't any more pleasant now.

10. Chocolate: Like greasy foods, chocolate can coat your fingers as it melts against the warmth of your skin, leaving its mark anywhere you touch. Try to clean it off the steering wheel and you could end up unintentionally swerving.