In the context of developmental psychology and adolescent risk-taking, what is a likely consequence if a teenage driver looks down for one second while driving?

• A. The driver may travel a significant distance without watching the road, increasing the risk of an accident.
• B. The driver will immediately stop the vehicle.
• C. The driver will automatically compensate for the distraction and remain completely safe.
• D. Looking down for one second has no measurable effect on driving safety.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: In developmental psychology, adolescent risk-taking is often linked to impulsivity and underdeveloped executive functions, which can affect attention and decision-making while driving.
2. Identify the key behavior: The teenage driver looks down for one second, which means their eyes are off the road and their attention is diverted from driving.
3. Consider the consequences of diverted attention: When a driver looks away from the road, even briefly, the vehicle continues moving forward without active monitoring or control of the environment.
4. Calculate the distance traveled during distraction: Use the formula \(\text{distance} = \text{speed} \times \text{time}\), where time is one second and speed is the vehicle's speed in consistent units (e.g., meters per second). This shows the car covers a measurable distance without the driver watching the road.
5. Conclude the risk: Because the driver is not watching the road during this time, the likelihood of missing hazards or reacting late increases, thereby raising the risk of an accident.