Every day, roughly two-thirds of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee. This consumption rate has only been on the rise. Reports from 2025 show that coffee consumption had gone up 7% in just the previous five years. The average person tends to drink three cups of coffee, making it more common than any other beverage, including bottled water, soda, juice and tea.
For many Americans, they purchase this cup of coffee during their morning commute. Some people will certainly brew coffee at home and bring it with them in the car, putting it in a travel mug. However, many people will also go through the drive-through at a Starbucks or another local coffee or fast food chain to pick up a cup on their way to the office.
3 types of driving distractions
As common as this is, it can be a significant distraction behind the wheel. Specifically, it is a manual, visual and cognitive distraction.
From a physical perspective, a driver who is holding a cup of coffee cannot have both hands on the wheel. As that person takes a drink, the coffee cup blocks part of their vision, so they cannot clearly see the road. They may also be mentally distracted as they reach for the coffee, think about whether it has cooled down enough to drink or try to determine when it is best to take another sip.
Many commuters are significantly distracted every single day by their traditional cup of coffee. This poses serious risks for everyone else who has to share the road with them. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you need to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
