Distracted driving occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off your primary task: driving safely. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash.
Visual: Eyes off the road
Reading a text message
Looking up directions
Manual: Hands off the wheel
Cognitive: Mind off driving
Talking and texting on a phone are driving distractions. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines all three types of distractions. The human brain has limited ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time. When driving is not your sole focus, you pay less attention to possible dangers on the road.
Sources:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. CMV Driving Tips - Driver Distraction. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/cmv-driving-tips-driver-distraction. Accessed 6 April, 2026.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Motor Vehicle Safety - Distracted Driving. https://www.osha.gov/motor-vehicle-safety/distracted-driving. Accessed 6 April, 2026.