system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: How are we able to zone out while driving but still, for the most part, drive perfectly fine?

I thought about this on my way back from work. I just zoned out while driving but would still respond to a car’s brake light or color change, even though I wasn’t focused at all (even my eyes were out of focus!)
gpt
It's actually called "unconscious competence" - it is when you know the task so well that you can do it without thinking about it. 

Previous posts are correct - most mistakes are made in this zone. Goal is to be "consciously competent" - you know what you are doing and you are thinking about it. (Envision a great surgeon)

Practice staying "conscious" by watching what other cars are doing, or pedestrians. Note the make and model of the car to your right/left/front. Watch who is turning and who is entering lanes that are close to you. Watch cars as you are approaching traffic lights....that stuff will help you maintain awareness but don't focus so deeply that it turns into distracted driving :)