How does using a cell phone while driving affect safety?

Using a cell phone while driving significantly distracts the driver, which is why this choice is correct. When a driver engages with a cell phone—whether for texting, calling, or using apps—their attention is diverted away from the road and surrounding environment. This distraction can lead to a diminished awareness of important visual and auditory cues, such as traffic signals, pedestrians, and other vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.

The nature of distractions includes manual, visual, and cognitive elements. Handling a phone requires physical interaction, which is a manual distraction. Looking at the phone screen or even glancing at a notification creates a visual distraction. Additionally, engaging in conversation or focusing on a task on the phone consumes cognitive resources, leading to mental distraction. Consequently, drivers may not react promptly to changes in the driving situation, which is detrimental to overall safety.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the impact of cell phone use on driving. For instance, cell phone usage does not increase driver focus; in fact, it compromises it. Although cell phones may offer better navigation options, this does not improve safety if it leads to driver distraction. And while cell phone use may seem to provide benefits like navigation, those benefits are outweighed by the dangers of