What is the impact of distracted driving on reaction time?

• A. No impact on reaction time.
• B. Slight improvement in reaction time.
• C. Moderately slows reaction time.
• D. Significantly slows reaction time and increases crash risk.

Answer: (D)

Distractions pull your attention away from the road, using cognitive resources that are needed for driving. Reaction time is the interval between noticing a hazard and starting to respond. When you’re distracted, perception and decision-making take longer, and you may delay braking or steering. That delay reduces the time you have to avoid a crash, so distracted driving significantly slows reaction time and raises crash risk. The idea that there’s no impact, or even a slight or moderate improvement, doesn’t fit what we know about how attention affects driving—the brain works harder on non-driving tasks and slows down the response to hazards.