Best Foods For Drivers Won’t Go All To Pieces

I heard on public radio’s “Car Talk” a while back about a car that was infested with mice. I’ve never had that particular trouble, but it’s not for lack of abundant mouse food on the floor and seat of my car. All the recommended daily mouse requirements are there in the crumbs and scraps deposited since the early ‘80s.

This consists of the food that I tried to eat in the car, but never did because it was dropped, crumbled, apart, spilled, oozed or otherwise strayed from the path.

The problem with many foods is you’re supposed to eat them at a table, on a plate, with a spoon and fork: lasagna, steak and eggs, clam chowder, birthday cake, etc.

These don’t work for drivers trying to downshift, switch lanes, bolt across a busy arterial, parallel park or perform other maneuvers necessary to the operation of a motor vehicle.

Fortunately, there are a number of foods that are just fine for eating behind the wheel.

My favorite is the burrito. Contained in a tortilla, it’s easy to hold, easy to bite, and easy to put down when traffic gets crazy.

Its cousin the hard-shelled taco, however, is a disaster. One bite and the shell crumbles and everything comes tumbling out.

The bagel is another great car food. It’s an all-around performer for travelers because it’s portable and durable, doesn’t crumble. And, you can bite it from any direction - you don’t have to take your eyes from the road.

Another round food, the hamburger, can be approached from any direction, but it poses some problems. The process of biting down on one side tends eject condiments out the other side. And if you need a wrapper to contain those contents, it gets hard to manage with one hand.

Bill Guyette gets around that though. Polled about his eating-incar habits, he said his all-time favorite choice is the hamburger.

“But not deluxe burgers, with tomatoes and ketchup and stuff, although I do like that. But if you’re driving, it’s better to get a plain one.”

Another burger fan is Jamie Wilke, who likes it with all the fixings and does keep it in the wrapper. But she skips the potato chips: way too crumbly.

Lou Irvin very rarely eats while driving, but if he does, his preference is fresh fruit. No spills, no crumbs.

Marjeane Jarvey counts on the wonders of food science and sticks to snack bars for eating ease.

Here’s a rundown of good and bad food for eating while driving, based on an informal survey of several Valley residents:

Good: Burrito. Bad: Tostado.

Good: Plain burger. Bad: Big Mac.

Good: Bagel. Bad: Croissant, muffin.

Good: Apple, banana. Bad: Orange, peach.

Good: Licorice. Bad: Hershey Kisses.

Good: Cake donut. Bad: Cinnamon roll.

Good: Beef jerky. Bad: Fried chicken.

Good: Dry Cheerios. Bad: Potato chips, popcorn.

Good: Ham sandwich. Bad: Tuna fish sandwich.

That said, the best thing would be to give food and driving the respect they deserve and do them one at a time.

Rain delay

Soggy weather stopped the repaving project on Interstate 90 on Tuesday, but the work is nearly done, according to Al Gilson of the Department of Transportation. Given some warmer weather, crews can finish up in two working days.

Once it’s done, commuters using that stretch will have to go back to steering their cars since the deep ruts won’t lock them on course anymore.

Coming and going

During rush hours, 30 percent of those cars you see are people going from home to work, or back again, according to the Spokane Regional Traffic Model. Fifty percent are people on errands to and from home, and the other 20 percent are traveling between places away from home.

, DataTimes MEMO: On Your Way is a Valley Voice column focusing on commuter lifestyles and issues. Your views on any of the topics discussed are invited. Please write: On Your Way, The Valley Voice, 13208 E. Sprague, Spokane, WA 99216. Or fax us at 459-5482.