During my 2 years in England, we were warned during our driving class that driving with any distraction would earn a hefty fine and possibly a loss of license until we completed an expensive driving school. A friend of mine got busted for eating an apple on the way to work on a pretty much deserted road. The fine was more than $300. Lots of Americans would get busted for taking sips of water or other drinks while driving. All the major highways around Lakenheath have little rest stop areas every few miles. So if you are thirsty, you are supposed to pull over, take a drink, then get back on the road.
At first it made me wonder how people ever got anywhere or got anything done, but after a few months I realized nobody gets anything done there anyhow, and lots of people never go anywhere either, so it really only affects a small portion of the population. I would often drink a soda on the way to work, but I would sneak the drinks as if I was speeding, on the alert for police. Strangely enough, I never got into an accident...