What is the definition of a driving distraction?

A driving distraction is defined as any activity that takes your mind off your driving or your eyes off the road. This definition encompasses a wide range of potential distractions, including visual, cognitive, and manual distractions. When a driver becomes distracted, they may fail to notice important cues in their environment, such as traffic signals, pedestrians, or road hazards, which can significantly increase the risk of an accident.

While activities involving smartphones, loud noises, or talking passengers can certainly contribute to distractions, they are not exhaustive definitions since distractions can also include things such as eating, adjusting controls, or interacting with passengers. The overarching definition emphasizes the impact on both cognitive attention and visual focus, highlighting the critical nature of maintaining full attention on driving.