Are You Allowed to Eat and Drive Legally in Montana?

I'm sure we're all guilty of it; eating the food that you just got from the fast food place or gas station while driving to your destination. We all know it takes away focus from the road and endangers other drivers, but sometimes you just have to crack into that delicious burger and fries right away. Is that even legal in Montana? And, should you do it in the first place?

Laws for Distracted Driving in Montana?

At this time, there are actually no laws against distracted driving at the statewide level in Montana, however, there are laws against things such as texting and using your phone in cities such as Billings. When it comes to eating though, it's completely and totally legal.

Montana doesn't even impose any fees for distracted driving. This means that despite the fact that distracted driving increases your risk of crashing your vehicle threefold, you won't get in trouble for reaching behind your seat for that dropped wallet or taking a big bite of your Big Mac.

Just Because It's Legal Doesn't Mean You Should Do It

Credit: Centers for Disease Control

There were over 3,100 deaths and over 420,000 people injured in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2019, and it's on an upward trend. To reduce these rates, the best thing to do is common sense; don't be distracted while driving. No eating, no texting, no adjusting your mirrors. All of those things can either be done before driving or after you reach your destination. Legality doesn't mean it's a good thing to do.

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So, next time you decide to stop by your favorite burger place for some food, perhaps take some time to eat before you get back on the road. It may save your life, and the lives of others on the road.