I think this also stems from driving tips drilled into older folk.
As a student of SEARS driving school
, we were taught things like
5 second rule
SIPDE
Power brakes don't stop you faster.
I think the 5 second rule went out the window about 20 years ago.
The SIPDE idea builds a situational awareness that allows one to anticipate issues.
There were also no computer screens in front of a dashboard. Not smart phones. Not Tesla computer screens. Back then, the only option would have been a TV set, perhaps a VCR TV set, and even those were a no no- relegated to the back seat of a conversion van. Worst thing to distract was a joint, PBR, and an 8 track tape.