using your phone while driving causes a form of inattentional blindness.

Using a phone while driving causes a form of inattentional blindness, meaning the driver looks but may not see critical objects or events in their environment. This happens because the cognitive load of talking or texting on the phone occupies the brain's limited attention capacity, reducing awareness of the road despite the driver's eyes being directed forward. Drivers on the phone often fail to notice hazards such as pedestrians, traffic signals, or other vehicles even though these are within their visual field. This inattentional blindness leads to slower reaction times and impaired driving performance, comparable to the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol. Notably, the impairment is due to the cognitive distraction of the conversation, not just holding the phone, and applies equally to hands-free devices. Studies show that a significant portion of driving-related information is missed by drivers on cell phones, increasing the risk of accidents considerably. In practical terms, when a driver uses a phone, their brain's attention is absorbed by the conversation or task on the phone, making them "blind" to 50% or more of their driving environment. This can cause them to miss stops, pedestrians, or changes in traffic conditions, which can be dangerous. To stay safe, the best advice is to avoid using a phone while driving altogether, including hands-free options, since both impair the brain's ability to focus fully on driving.