Vehicle Controls and Ergonomics
Coordinating the Simultaneous Physical Actions Driving Requires
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
Driving requires coordinating several simultaneous physical actions - steering, pedal control, and mirror checks - which is a physical motor skill distinct from the mental multitasking myth covered elsewhere.
It is worth separating the physical coordination driving genuinely requires from the mental multitasking that turns out to be mostly a myth.
Physical Actions Really Do Happen Together
Steering, managing pedals, and glancing at mirrors genuinely do occur simultaneously, unlike the mental task-switching covered in our guide to why "multitasking" while driving is mostly a myth.
Why This Distinction Matters
Physical coordination becomes more automatic with practice, while mentally handling two demanding tasks at once does not - confusing the two leads some drivers to overestimate their ability to safely add a second mental task.
Building This Coordination
The gradual development of this physical skill mirrors the pattern described in our guide to hand-eye-foot coordination.