CAN I GET A TRAFFIC TICKET FOR EATING AND DRIVING?
Posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015 at 7:06 am
Distracted driving is a huge problem in the United States. When most people think about distracted driving, the first thought is texting while driving or talking on a mobile device while driving. However, eating and driving is becoming more common throughout the country and it is causing serious and fatal accidents. A study revealed that 80% of vehicle accidents and 65% of near misses were caused by drivers who were distracted by eating.
Examples of Accidents Caused by Eating and Driving
Eating and driving is blamed for accidents in California and throughout the United States. In 2012, a man eating a taco caused a multiple car crash near Sacramento. He was speeding and was distracted while brushing crumbs off his lap. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a bus driver eating a burrito slammed into a line of cars in 2014. Video shows that the driver had both hands off the wheel while eating the burrito.
Just this summer in Ottawa County, Michigan, a young boy died and nine other people were injured when a driver collided with traffic while eating a sandwich and looking at his GPS. In Bethal Township, Ohio, a driver was distracted while eating and caused a multi-vehicle wreck on State Route 235 near New Carlisle.
Traffic Tickets for Eating and Driving
In Georgia, a man received a traffic ticket just outside of Atlanta for eating a McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder while driving. The ticket cited the driver under Georgia’s distracted driving law. A traffic lawyer stated that the distracted driving law prohibits drivers from engaging in actions that distract them from driving safely.
California does not have a specific law that prohibits drivers from eating and driving; however, you may still receive a ticket if you are stopped by law enforcement officers. Officers state that eating and driving falls under the category of distracted driving and law enforcement is cracking down on distracted driving.
California Vehicle Code §23103(a) states that anyone who operates a vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.” If you are convicted under this code section, you could face between five days and 90 days in county jail and a fine between $145 and $1,000. If you cause an accident while eating and driving, you could face additional criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.
Have You Been Injured in a Vehicle Crash Caused by a Distracted Driver?
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports in its statistics regarding distracted driving that during 2014, sixty-one percent of California drivers admitted they have been hit or nearly hit by a driver who was talking or texting on a cell phone. Almost 53% of drivers admitted they made a driving mistake while talking on a cell phone. Distracted driving from cell phone use, eating and driving, and other distractions is not just a crime, it is unsafe.
If you are injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you have a legal recourse. You are entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, emotional suffering, property damages, and other losses. Our experienced Sacramento vehicle accident attorneys can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact Tiemann Law Firm to schedule a free consultation by calling our toll free number (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website.
