Agreed. The current predominant distraction seems to be texting.
John the other passengers didn't find it out of the ordinary for a simple reason: it's not. I can both eat and concentrate at the same time. I can also walk and chew gum at the same time while carrying on a conversation.
I am sure that my driving skills are compromised if I am holding food and drink in each hand, holding the wheel with only the little finger of each hand (or only one hand while gesticulating at the scenery) tilting my head back to drink or looking at the food/drink I am about to introduce to my mouth...
I am OK at chewing and concentrating - but not multi-tasking on that kind of level!