For decades, every single car in production has had cup holders. Many ads brag about the sheer number of cup holders in their vehicles, especially when considering family vehicles like minivans and SUVs.
But could those cup holders be a problem? Could they cause accidents?
Some have made this case, in a roundabout way, saying that drinking coffee while driving takes a person’s attention off of the road. When we talk about drinking and driving, it usually means alcohol, but this argument suggests that drivers who drink anything are still very dangerous. They’re no longer paying full attention to the road.
This is the reason that coffee often shows up on lists of foods that drivers should avoid. It’s a mainstay of the morning commute, but it also takes a driver’s eyes off the road. As hot as it is, a spill can be distracting and could cause an accident. People often react instinctively to that type of pain, and they may let go of the wheel and look away from the road — without even thinking about how doing so is far more hazardous to their health than some spilled coffee.
When considering distractions, it’s important to think outside of the box. Everyone knows about texting and driving or using social media behind the wheel. That is very distracting — and it still happens, even though people know it’s dangerous — but it’s definitely not the only distraction.
If you get hit by a distracted driver, you need to know if you have a right to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other costs.
