There are three main types of driving distractions that most drivers will participate in at some point:
Visual – taking your eyes off the road ahead and looking at something else
Manual – taking your hands off the wheel to use a device or pick something up
Cognitive – when your mind focuses on something other than driving and the road ahead
Some driving distractions can be categorized into multiple of the above types. Texting while driving, for example, encompasses all three. When texting and driving, your hands are on your phone, your mind is determining how to respond to the message you received, and your eyes are on your phone. These types of distractions are the most dangerous as they completely take your focus off the road ahead and prevent you from reacting to any sudden changes in traffic.