What do California's distracted driving laws prohibit?

The correct response highlights that California's distracted driving laws specifically prohibit texting or using handheld devices while driving. This legislation is designed to enhance road safety by minimizing distractions that can significantly increase the risk of accidents. Texting, in particular, requires visual and manual attention, which diverts focus away from the road and can lead to critical delays in reaction time.

While navigation systems can be a part of driving distractions, California laws allow for hands-free use of these devices, provided they are not handheld. This means drivers can utilize voice commands or mounted displays without breaching the law. Eating while driving, although potentially distracting, is not specifically banned under California law, and the same applies to listening to music, which is permitted unless it inhibits the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely.