Which of the following is a cognitive distraction?

Cognitive distractions occur when a driver's mental focus is diverted from the road. The correct answer illustrates this type of distraction through daydreaming. When a driver is lost in thought or preoccupied with something unrelated to driving, their attention is not fully on the task at hand. This mental disengagement can significantly impair the driver’s ability to respond to road conditions, other vehicles, and potential hazards.

In contrast, other options involve more tangible actions that can still distract a driver but in different ways. For example, texting while driving is a visual and manual distraction; changing the radio station requires physical interaction and can take a driver's eyes off the road, and eating involves both hands and often leads to distraction from the driving environment. While these actions can also compromise safe driving, they differ from cognitive distractions because they involve visible engagement with the vehicle or environment rather than a diversion of mental focus.