It just now occurred to me after reading this article: How is talking on a cell phone different from talking with the control tower while piloting a plane? The former is clearly distracting (and more dangerous than most people think), but the latter actually *helps* the pilot focus on his task. Cell phone distraction is a fascinating subject, and I think a lot could be learned about how the brain works from studying it.

the pilot is talking to a tower and radar watching his every move, and looking for other aircraft he may be intersecting,,,the auto driver is talking about shoes, while drinking coffee, and eating a big mac, while texting to the sig. other...