How can you identify a distracted driver on the road?

The correct answer highlights key behaviors that indicate a driver is distracted. A driver who is drifting across lanes and moving at variable speeds typically exhibits a lack of attention to the roadway, signaling that their focus is not fully on driving. This erratic driving pattern can arise from distractions that divert the driver's gaze or thought processes away from the task of controlling the vehicle.

By drifting across lanes, the driver fails to maintain proper lane discipline, which is critical for safe driving. Furthermore, changes in speed—whether speeding up or slowing down unexpectedly—can contribute to dangerous situations on the road, as they may confuse other drivers or create unpredictable traffic patterns.

Other behaviors might also indicate distraction, but they do not present the same clear combination of movement and inconsistent control. While weaving in and out of traffic or looking down at their lap can show signs of distraction, they are not as comprehensive or telling in terms of overall driving capability as the erratic lane drifting and variable speed. Therefore, option B best encapsulates the typical characteristics of a distracted driver.