Which items should be avoided to maintain safe driving abilities?

Maintaining safe driving abilities is crucial for both the driver's safety and the safety of others on the road. Cough medications and alcohol can significantly impair driving performance, making option B the correct choice.

Cough medications often contain ingredients such as antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, and delayed reaction times. This makes it dangerous to operate a vehicle under their influence. Similarly, alcohol is well-known for its impairing effects on judgment, coordination, and reaction speed, all of which are essential for safe driving. Consuming even small amounts of alcohol can negatively impact a driver's ability to react to unexpected situations on the road.

In contrast, while illegal drugs are also associated with impaired driving, focusing solely on them doesn't paint the full picture of what substances can affect driving abilities. Over-the-counter medications can also vary widely in their effects, but they aren't specifically mentioned as needing to be avoided alone. It’s essential for drivers to be aware of all substances that could influence their ability to drive safely, which is why the combination of cough medications and alcohol presents a clear risk.