This might also explain why simply having a passenger in your car with you will impair your driving. You're probably paying some amount of attention to the passenger.
My code phrase is "just a minute" -- a phrase I developed a habit for when people want to interrupt me at work when I'm not in a place where I can safely pause.
Even if I'm doing something so simple as writing out a label (we just packed up to move, so its fresh on my mind) and my GF says something to me, I won't respond until I get done writing it out. She gives me shit and says I can't multitask, but dammit let me focus.
> I've never had one that was helpful in such a way
Had a fun moment with this just yesterday. We were driving across a road behind a line of cars stopped at a red light. The angle was such that I couldn't see the oncoming lane.
I go "Hey I can't see around these cars but you can, is anyone approaching?" and my passenger replies "No, all clear". We move forward slowly and ZOOM a car whooshes past us.
So yeah, I don't think passengers are paying attention even when they say they are.
Trust no one, you’re solely in charge when behind the steering wheel. At least till cars start becoming fully autonomous but then who is to be held responsible if something goes bad..