Boredom is a common experience among drivers and is associated with inattention, decreased driving performance, and a increased accident rate. Identifying effective strategies to mitigate boredom is therefore critical for enhancing road safety. Using secondary tasks while driving has generally been associated with a decrease in driving performance. While secondary task engagement during driving is typically associated with performance impairments, this study proposes that the nature of the secondary task is crucial in determining its effects. Specifically, it draws on the Cognitive Control Hypothesis and Theory of Optimal Arousal as a basis for understanding possible positive effects of secondary tasks. Secondary tasks might be suitable for counteracting boredom, provided they do not require a significant amount of cognitive control to execute. A questionnaire was constructed to measure secondary task usage and attitudes, drivers’ perception of boredom and flow, driving safety, as well as other related factors Results indicate that engaging in certain secondary tasks can reduce boredom and facilitate a flow-like state characterized by sustained attention, enhanced task engagement, and positive affect. No negative impact on perceived driving safety was observed. While the study's scope limited the ability to draw definitive conclusions about objective safety outcomes, the findings align with prior research suggesting that appropriate secondary tasks may support driver engagement. These are highly automated, well-trained tasks which are not reliant on visual attention. Further empirical investigation using behavioural and physiological measures is warranted.