Don#039;t dump coffee in your lap

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 26, 2002

In today's society, we're all eating on the run.

Kids' baseball practice. Work-related projects. Honey-do lists.

Yes, the tasks are endless and we're short on time. That's why sometimes we have to grab meals when we can.

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Thanks to our friends at Shape magazine, they've recently identified the Top 10 list worst road foods. Yes … the ones that cause you to get into an accident.

We've all been there at one time or another. We're either sipping a drink or eating something and don't pay attention. Thankfully, most of us have avoided a collision. Others ended up hitting the fire hydrant before barreling into someone's white picket fence.

Anyway, let's start with the worst on the list, then go from there.

1. Coffee. We've all heard of the McDonald's debacle. You member, the one where the person spilled coffee onto their, ahem, lap.

Anyway this person wasn't paying attention. Of course, I'm not faultless in this category.

No, I've never dumped coffee in my lap. But I've burned the roof of my mouth a few times. I'd agree this is a worthy choice for No. 1.

2. Hot soup. Why would someone want to eat soup while driving? Coffee I can understand But soup? Someone deserves to get in an accident if they're trying to navigate a one-ton piece of metal while sipping on clam chowder.

3. Tacos. I may have been guilty of eating a taco or two on occasion on the road. Tilting the head, I suppose, is not the most idea way to drive down the freeway.

4. Chili. Another dumb one. Why would you want to eat this on the highway? See No. 2.

5. Hamburgers. Ah, something that everyone of us has been involved with. Admit it, you've eaten a Happy Meal or two on the road. Or better yet, a Whopper. This is probably the most safest food to eat out there. It's portable, and tastes OK.

Better than soup, anyway.

6. Barbecued food. One my favorites. Over the grill in my backyard, of course. Much better than ending up in someone's grill.

7. Fried chicken. A little greasy. Imagine what it would be like barbecued. Mmmm, mmmm. A tad messy, though.

8. Jelly-and-cream-filled doughnuts. A co-worker of mine loves those Vanilla Angel ones from Dunkin Donuts. He commutes each day from Albert Lea. However, I've never asked him if he's had a couple behind the wheel. You don't ask another guy if he likes eating Vanilla Angel doughnuts.

9. Soft drinks. I don't know why this is on the list. I usually have pop in the my truck. In fact, isn't that's why they put cupholders there?

10. Chocolate. This time of year, I can understand why it's a hazard, especially if you don't have the air on in your car.

Hope this list helps. We can all be better drivers and make our community safer.

I'll especially think of that the next time we meet on the road. In fact, I'll toast my java to you.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at :mailto:dan.fields@austindailyherald.com