What is the primary risk associated with using a cellphone while driving?

Using a cellphone while driving significantly increases the risk of inattentive driving. When a driver focuses on their phone for tasks such as texting, browsing, or making calls, their attention is diverted away from the road and surrounding environment. This distraction can lead to slower reaction times to hazards, failure to notice traffic signals, and an overall inability to respond effectively in dynamic situations, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Inattentive driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving, as it compromises the driver's ability to maintain situational awareness. Effective driving requires full attention to the road, other vehicles, pedestrians, and potential hazards. The act of engaging with a cellphone, regardless of the specific task, takes vital cognitive resources away from driving, making it a significant safety risk.