A method for reducing cognitive demand on a vehicle operator comprises detecting one or more passengers in a vehicle in addition to the vehicle operator, determining an acceptable level of cognitive demand on the vehicle operator corresponding to an operating environment, determining an existing level of cognitive demand on the vehicle operator in the operating environment, determining whether the existing level of cognitive demand is greater than the acceptable level of cognitive demand, and wherein, if the existing level of cognitive demand is greater than the acceptable level of cognitive demand, generating a stimulus directed to the one or more passengers in order to reduce the existing level of cognitive demand on the vehicle operator.