They are all more distracting than simply staring ahead, but you'd have to be a fool to think they are all equally distracting. Phone calls and texting are the worst. Eating is a few notches down, but eating a messy sandwich can be a problem for sure. Changing tracks or volume on a CD can almost always be done without looking - most new cars have the controls on your steering wheel, so once you get used to it you can do it without looking. Drinking something while driving - I'd have to say is way down on the distraction list.
Talking on a cell hurts the driver in two ways - first the driver is thinking primarily about what the other person is saying and not the road and potential hazards ahead - second - the drivers range of motion of what they can see goes from unlimited to a narrow view straight ahead. I ride a bike to work every day and have to gauge whether or not I can count on someone to stop at a red light as I cross in front of them. If they're on a cell, I have to assume they don't see me and act accordingly. Normally people are surprisingly courteous if they not "cellphone impaired". They will notice me coming at them from the side and I can make eye contact to make sure they know I'm coming across. I'd say 1 cell user in 20 would crane their neck to see someone coming at them from the side. It's not their fault, really, holding a cell to your ear is not a comfortable position.
Texting while driving - unless you can do this one-handed without looking, is idiotic at best, and criminal at worst. I don't care how good you think you can multitask, you simply can't drive as well. I would say if your text is an important one, just wait for the next light to fire one off. If you're on the highway pull over a hit an exit. But we all know most texts are not that important don't we, the same as most cell convo's.
Ok that's it for me/end rant
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They are all more distracting than simply staring ahead, but you'd have to be a fool to think they are all equally distracting. Phone calls and texting are the worst. Eating is a few notches down, but eating a messy sandwich can be a problem for sure. Changing tracks or volume on a CD can almost always be done without looking - most new cars have the controls on your steering wheel, so once you get used to it you can do it without looking. Drinking something while driving - I'd have to say is way down on the distraction list. Talking on a cell hurts the driver in two ways - first the driver is thinking primarily about what the other person is saying and not the road and potential hazards ahead - second - the drivers range of motion of what they can see goes from unlimited to a narrow view straight ahead. I ride a bike to work every day and have to gauge whether or not I can count on someone to stop at a red light as I cross in front of them. If they're on a cell, I have to assume they don't see me and act accordingly. Normally people are surprisingly courteous if they not "cellphone impaired". They will notice me coming at them from the side and I can make eye contact to make sure they know I'm coming across. I'd say 1 cell user in 20 would crane their neck to see someone coming at them from the side. It's not their fault, really, holding a cell to your ear is not a comfortable position. Texting while driving - unless you can do this one-handed without looking, is idiotic at best, and criminal at worst. I don't care how good you think you can multitask, you simply can't drive as well. I would say if your text is an important one, just wait for the next light to fire one off. If you're on the highway pull over a hit an exit. But we all know most texts are not that important don't we, the same as most cell convo's. Ok that's it for me /end rant