What is one effect of using a hand-held device while driving?

Using a hand-held device while driving significantly increases distraction, which is the primary reason why it is widely discouraged and often illegal in many places. When a driver engages with a device, their attention is diverted from the road, which can lead to slower reaction times and an inability to notice important visual and auditory cues essential for safe driving. This distraction can manifest in various forms, such as visual distraction (looking at the screen), manual distraction (using hands to operate the device), and cognitive distraction (thinking about the conversation or task at hand rather than driving).

In contrast, the other choices imply benefits of using a device while driving, but they do not reflect the reality of how multitasking impacts driving safety. In fact, studies have consistently shown that attempting to multitask—such as talking on a phone or texting—while driving can significantly impair driving performance and increase the risk of accidents. Therefore, the correct identification of increased distraction highlights the critical safety concerns associated with using hand-held devices on the road.