[xoxoxoBruce]

What people don't get is, just because you're looking out the windshield doesn't make you safe. It's where your mind is at, and if your talking on the phone or texting, your mind isn't on driving.

This is probably because too many people think driving is only reacting to things that happen in front of you. You should be aware of the vehicles in front, beside, and behind you... in every lane. What type of vehicle they are, and what they're capable of... by that I mean in order to anticipate what any particular vehicle is likely to do, it makes a difference if it's a big truck, a station wagon, or a sports car.
Is the driver drifting in and out of their lane? Are they distracted or paying attention? Are they tailgating? It only takes a few seconds of watching to ascertain those details.

You should be more concerned with the cars ahead than the car in front of you. The chances the guy in front of you is going to suddenly stop are pretty damn slim, unless some one forces him to, so what's in front of him is your real concern. If you're paying attention to what's going on ahead of him, you probably won't be surprised.

Watching for entrance ramps or parking lots on the right, where someone might force the car on your right into your lane.
Is the guy coming the other way going to make a left in front of you without signaling? They give clues if you're paying attention.

But you can't see any of the dangers, you can't drive defensively, if your head is somewhere else. That's what makes phones and texting so dangerous.
Of course there are drivers that don't do those things, even when they are not phoning or texting. Those drivers shouldn't be on the fucking road.