According to research in cognitive psychology, which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the dangers of driving while intoxicated compared to driving while texting?

• A. Texting while driving can be just as dangerous, or even more dangerous, than driving while intoxicated.
• B. Driving while intoxicated is always significantly more dangerous than texting while driving.
• C. Texting while driving is only dangerous if combined with intoxication.
• D. Neither texting nor intoxication significantly impairs driving ability.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the cognitive demands of driving, which requires attention, perception, decision-making, and motor coordination.
2. Step 2: Recognize that both intoxication and texting while driving impair these cognitive functions, but in different ways—intoxication affects motor skills and judgment, while texting causes distraction and divided attention.
3. Step 3: Review empirical research findings from cognitive psychology that compare the relative dangers of these impairments, noting that texting while driving can cause significant distraction leading to accidents.
4. Step 4: Analyze studies showing that texting while driving can be as dangerous or even more dangerous than driving under the influence because it involves visual, manual, and cognitive distractions simultaneously.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the most accurate statement is that texting while driving can be just as dangerous, or even more dangerous, than driving while intoxicated, based on cognitive psychology research.