What is considered distracted driving?

Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts attention from driving. This includes a wide range of behaviors, but the critical factor is that these activities compromise the driver's ability to safely operate the vehicle. Engaging in activities that take attention away from driving, such as texting, is particularly dangerous as it involves manual, visual, and cognitive distractions all at once.

Texting is one of the most significant forms of distraction because it requires the driver to look at their phone (visual distraction), think about the message and how to respond (cognitive distraction), and use their hands to type or swipe on the device (manual distraction). This multifaceted distraction dramatically increases the risk of accidents and is often highlighted in discussions about the dangers of distracted driving.

Listening to music, talking to passengers, and adjusting the radio can also be distracting, but they typically do not divert attention in the same way texting does. For instance, many drivers can listen to music or talk with passengers without significantly impairing their focus on the road. However, texting stands out as a behavior associated with a greater risk of accidents, making it a definitive example of distracted driving.