Why is it important to avoid distractions like texting while driving?

Avoiding distractions such as texting while driving is crucial primarily because it takes both hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. When a driver engages in texting, they divert their attention from the task of driving. This is particularly dangerous as effective vehicle control requires full attention and the ability to respond quickly to changing conditions on the road. By removing one or both hands from the steering wheel, the driver significantly increases the risk of being unable to react to sudden obstacles or changes in traffic. Similarly, taking one's eyes off the road for even a few seconds can lead to missed critical information, resulting in accidents.

Other options, while they may pertain to driving, do not capture the immediate dangers associated with distracted driving. Fuel efficiency is not affected directly by texting, and while using GPS might become more difficult, the primary concern when driving is maintaining focus and control of the vehicle to ensure the safety of the driver and others on the road.