What types of actions are categorized as distracted driving?

Distracted driving encompasses any activities that divert attention away from driving, which can significantly increase the risk of accidents. The correct choice highlights specific actions such as texting, eating, and using a GPS, all of which require mental focus, visual attention, or physical manipulation, subsequently diverting the driver’s focus from the road.

Texting, for example, not only involves taking your hands off the wheel but also requires cognitive attention to read and respond to messages. Eating can similarly take both hands from the steering wheel and your focus away from traffic. Using a GPS requires entering destinations and monitoring directions, resulting in divided attention. Therefore, these activities are classified as distractions because they reduce a driver’s ability to maintain full awareness of their environment, which is essential for safe driving.

In contrast, activities like listening to music or talking to passengers may not necessarily fit the same high-risk profile, especially if they do not interfere significantly with the primary task of driving. Adjusting the radio can also be seen as a distraction, but it typically involves less cognitive load compared to the other activities noted in the correct answer. Understanding the impact of these distractions on driving safety emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus on the road at all times.