Nearly two thirds of Brits admit to eating junk food behind the wheel – but it could see you hit with a £5,000 fine
ALMOST two thirds of Brits eat junk food while behind the wheel.
But you could be hit with a hefty fine and even a driving ban if you cause an accident when snacking.
A recent study by SEAT UK revealed almost 65 per cent of UK drivers eat fast food when driving, with over half more likely to eat poorly when in the car than at home.
Shockingly, Brits spend a whopping £1.25billion on service station snacks each year, with sweets the most popular choice for hungry motorists.
But the increase in calories isn't the the only problem to consider when eating on the road.
High sugar and fat content may briefly increase alertness at the wheel, but it can cause a reduction in driver's concentration levels and mood.
While eating while driving isn't illegal, snacking could lead to you being charged with careless driving if you cause an accident.
The charge carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your licence if stopped by police.
And in more serious cases, or those that are contested in court, the charge can attract a maximum £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a court-imposed driving ban.
Richard Harrison, managing director at SEAT UK, said, "Most of us like a treat on long journeys but our research has revealed some worrying trends in our eating habits on the road.
the road laws you need to know
"As a nation, we are much more aware of the numerous detrimental effects of eating unhealthily but it’s not easy to break bad habits, especially as driving can be stressful and we are often in a hurry.
"Due to this, we’re encouraging drivers to think more about what they choose to eat when on the road, potentially boosting mood and concentration levels.
"Despite the availability of junk food, there is vastly more information available about healthy eating, and even service stations now offer many more nutritious options than just a few years’ ago."