What is a significant distraction while driving according to driving safety guidelines?

Text messaging or surfing the internet on a wireless device is considered a significant distraction while driving due to the cognitive, visual, and manual demands it places on a driver. Engaging in these activities diverts attention from the road, which can lead to delayed reaction times and increased likelihood of an accident. The act of composing or reading a text message requires taking both eyes off the road and focusing on the screen, which not only distracts visually but also mentally, as the driver’s thoughts shift away from driving.

Disturbances such as listening to the radio, eating food, or adjusting mirrors, while they can also lead to distractions, do not typically involve the same level of simultaneous mental engagement and visual attention that texting or internet usage does. The severity of the distraction presented by using a wireless device is recognized as significantly more dangerous, contributing to higher rates of accidents on the road.