What might be a cognitive distraction while driving?

A cognitive distraction while driving involves anything that draws your mental focus away from the task of driving. Recalling a stressful situation falls into this category because it occupies your mind, potentially leading you to be less attentive to the road and your surroundings. Engaging in thoughts related to stress can hinder your ability to make quick decisions or notice hazards, increasing the risk of an accident.

While talking to passengers can also be a form of distraction, it typically requires less cognitive load compared to recalling a complex or emotional situation. Watching music videos is generally more likely to be classified as a visual distraction. Eating a snack, while it may take physical attention away, does not necessarily engage your cognitive processes to the extent that recalling a stressful situation does. Recognizing the nature of different distractions helps in understanding how they affect driving safety.