Is It Illegal To Eat And Drive In Oregon?

Posted on August 12, 2020 in Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is dangerous driving. That probably comes as no surprise to anyone, but what some people may not realize is that there are many different types of distracted driving. (503) dfdfdfdf, other types of distracted driving include applying makeup, reaching for an object in a vehicle, and eating and drinking.

Eating and drinking is something most people have done, but have you ever wondered if this type of driving behavior is legal? Here, we want to discuss this as well as some of the potential consequences of eating and drinking behind the wheel.

Is Eating and Driving Illegal?

Whether you are quickly sipping down the morning iced coffee or chowing down on your midday burger for lunch, eating or drinking while driving is fairly common. During the latest reporting year in this state, there were more than 50,000 total vehicle accidents, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. When we examine some of the main reasons these crashes occur, we can see that “inattention” is listed. This is another way of saying distracted driving.

The Oregon DOT lists four types of distracted driving behaviors:

Visual

Looking at something other than the road

Auditory

Hearing something not related to driving

Manual

Handling something other than the steering wheel

Cognitive

Thinking about something other than driving

Oregon does have laws related to distracted driving, but not related to eating and driving. That means that it is not technically illegal to eat or drink while driving in Oregon (as long as the beverage is non-alcoholic).

However, just because it is legal to eat or drink while driving, that does not mean this is a good idea. When we look at the list of types of distractions above, it is easy to see that eating and drinking while driving can easily be just as distracting as texting and driving. Eating or drinking and take a person’s eyes, hands, and thinking off of the roadway, potentially leading to a serious accident.

What Are Other Oregon Distracted Driving Laws?

Oregon does have other laws related to distracted driving. In this state, it is illegal to compose, read, or send text messages or emails from a handheld device while driving. It is also illegal to talk or otherwise use a handheld mobile communications device while driving.

Drivers are allowed to use a hands-free device to make and receive phone calls. However, drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use any cell phone or other mobile communication device, even if the device is hands-free.

Oregon uses primary enforcement of distracted driving laws, which means a police officer can make a traffic stop based on a distracted driving infraction alone.

Distracted Driving Crashes Can Lead to Severe Injuries

Just like any other traffic collision, distracted driving accidents can lead to severe injuries for anyone involved. These incidents often happen at high speeds, and victims regularly sustain the following types of injuries:

  • Spinal cord trauma with paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Severe lacerations
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Internal organ damage or internal bleeding

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a distracted driving crash, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Please seek assistance from a Portland distracted driving attorney to help with your case today.