Similarly, Victoria's road rules don't specifically prohibit eating while driving, but drivers can be charged with careless driving if eating affects their concentration and control of the vehicle.
Keep in mind that although there aren't any laws against eating while driving, if it prevents you from concentrating and having full control of your vehicle you could be fined. The term for this is 'driver distraction' and is covered broadly in each Australian state.
Unfortunately, eating/drinking and driving is considered a form of distracted driving and is much more dangerous than it appears. According to a 2014 Lytx study, those who eat food or drink beverages while driving are 3.6 times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who don't.
Driving without proper control – that's the wording that could see you cop a $279 fine if you're caught driving while eating and police deem you weren't being as attentive as you could have been, namely losing control of your car.
There is currently no specific law in any Australian jurisdiction against eating food or drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving.
There's a short answer and a longer answer. The short answer is yes, it's legal to eat while you're operating a car. In fact, by the letter of the law, you can also imbibe non-alcoholic drinks while behind the wheel and you can even apply make-up or shave without risk to your licence. Not that we recommend it.
"A person must not consume alcohol while driving or while in charge of a motor vehicle. This includes those supervising a learner driver.," Victoria Police states.
One in 10 drivers admit that driving while hungry impacts their ability to concentrate behind the wheel and almost 15% admit that feeling thirsty also affects their driving ability. Worryingly, 7% of drivers say that driving while feeling hungry makes them take longer to react to situations on the road.
Don't eat and drive: How snacking at the wheel could land you a $575 fine and under a little-known Aussie road rule. Australians could be fined up to $600 if they are caught eating or drinking behind the wheel under a little-known road rule.
Driving with one hand
Yep, it's illegal to drive without both hands on the wheel at all times, with only a few exceptions. You're allowed to take a hand off the wheel when indicating, using the wipers, or making some other appropriate adjustment, but that's it.
Treating your vehicle like a make-shift dining room is asking for more than a big mess. Eating while driving puts yourself and other motorists at a higher risk of a crash.
Even more alarming, 70% of drivers admit to eating while driving, 83% have eaten or drunk something behind the wheel at least once in their lives, 9% of fatal crashes in the US are attributed to distracted driving including eating while driving, 39% increase in odds for crash or near-crash due to this behavior as well ...
Overall, 56 percent of Americans admit to eating while driving on a semi-regular basis, with 7 percent of the nation chowing down while driving every single day.
No Australian states and territories have outlawed driving barefoot or wearing inappropriate footwear while driving, however the NSW Road Rules Act 2008 states that the driver must still take all precautions to drive in the safest manner possible.
No, it's not illegal to drive in thongs in NSW. However, you must be in proper control of your vehicle, which is why driving barefoot might be a better option. You could be fined if using inappropriate footwear leads to an accident.
Food standards in Australia
develops and manages standards for food, called the Food Standards Code. regulates labelling that goes on packaged and unpackaged food, including warnings and advisory labels. manages food recalls.
General rules of the road.
Always drive on the left-hand side of any road and overtake on the right (golden rule!) If the rules of the road are not adhered to, it is a criminal offence, and prosecution of drivers may result.
Distractions Are Everywhere
There are 3 types of distractions and they are anything that takes your: Eyes off the road (visual). Mind off the road (cognitive). Hands off the steering wheel (manual).
Go for complex carbohydrates and protein. Whole grains and lean protein, like turkey and chicken, can help you stay alert during long hours on the road. Avoid convenience foods, such as fast-food, or anything high in sugar or processed carbs. Such foods are likely to make your energy dip shortly after eating.
Falling asleep at the wheel is clearly dangerous, but being sleepy also affects your ability to drive safely, even if you don't fall asleep. Drowsiness: Makes you less able to pay attention to the road. Slows your reaction time if you must brake or steer suddenly.
The legal drinking age in Victoria is 18. If you are under 18, you are not allowed to buy alcohol. Usually, you are also not allowed to be in a licensed place where alcohol is served unless it is a restaurant or cafe, or you are there with your parents.
On average, it takes about one hour to metabolize one standard drink. In terms of determining exactly how long alcohol is detectable in the body depends on many factors, including which kind of drug test is being used.
Minors selling and supplying alcohol
A minor cannot be involved in the supply of alcohol, except if they are part of a LCV approved training program. A minor can be employed on licensed premises to undertake duties that are not associated with the supply of liquor. These duties may include: preparing food.