... task to another repeatedly. This process involves goal switching and re-evaluating. When talking on a cell phone while driving, one is using his "executive control" processes (the mental CEO) found to be associated with the brain's prefrontal cortex and other key regions such as the parietal cortex. These interrelated cognitive processes establish priorities among tasks and allocate the mind's resources to them. Executive control involves two distinct, complementary stages: goal shifting and rule activation. Both stages help people switch between tasks unconsciously. Rule activation itself takes significant amounts of time (several tenths of a second). The few seconds required to switch between tasks could translate to a loss of attention over the vehicle, resulting in the vehicle swerving out of control, or traveling far enough to crash into obstacles the driver might have otherwise avoided. When driving, one needs to be look at different places, read signs and make decisions about where ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now