Driving while in a state of distraction is potentially fatal. Paying attention to a caller, a crying child or eating while trying to pay attention to what is going on around you can't be done well. Several municipalities are beginning to outlaw talking on your phone while driving. "Hands free" phone conversation while driving is just as distracting because your attention is divided.
When someone is driving while they are angry, upset or crying, they are driving recklessly even though they don't know it. It is much safer to delay your trip until you are calmer or have stopped crying even though you will get to your destination later than you planned. While you're crying, your vision is impaired by tears which won't stop; you have to wipe your eyes and blow your nose. It's very difficult to drive while you're emotionally upset. In addition, you don't exercise good judgment behind the wheel during these times, and you take risks you would normally avoid.
When you're sleepy, you can't react as quickly to situations as you do when you're alert. If you see a road hazard or another situation, you can't think about what you need to do as quickly as usual; you will drive into the situation before you realize what you need to do. If, for instance, the driver in front of you suddenly brakes hard, you won't process that information quickly enough, and you'll hit him from behind. That would make it your fault.
Some drivers love to challenge other drivers and race down city streets to see whose car is fastest. Regardless of the traffic conditions or weather, these drivers insist on engaging other drivers in dangerous races which endanger themselves and those unfortunate enough to be in their way. These drivers have made the late news by killing others or themselves.
Whether it's alcohol, prescription medications or illicit drugs, this class of reckless driving is dangerous. The impaired driver can't react to developing situations. Again, while communities have outlawed driving while intoxicated, some communities are beginning to include driving which is impaired by prescription medications. If you read the warnings label on the sides of medication bottles, you will note the caution which tells you not to drive if the medication causes you to become sleepy. Heed it.