Researchers: Drivers Don't Need Much to be Distracted

Talking and texting aren't the only problems.  Researchers at MIT say "that if a motorist's mind is deeply focused on any topic — even trouble at home — he is likely to scan the road for hazards less frequently."  Experts are studying inattention blindness, which occurs when a driver's eyes are directed toward the road but his or her mind is focused elsewhere.  The MIT group has found "that a driver's ability to focus on the driving environment varies depending on the 'cognitive demand' of a non-driving activity. That is, the deeper the level of thought in a driver's mind, the less he focuses on his surroundings."  Read more.