"...drivers already know how to assess the road and determine that 'nothing can happen' in the next few hundred milliseconds." Is this actually true? Isn't it

"...drivers already know how to assess the road and determine that 'nothing can happen' in the next few hundred milliseconds." Is this actually true? Isn't it recommended to never eat or drink in the car while driving, that being on the phone or conversing while driving lowers driving skill, etc?