Safety implications of providing real-time feedback to distracted drivers

Accid Anal Prev. 2007 May;39(3):581-90. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2006.10.003. Epub 2006 Nov 15.

Abstract

A driving simulator study was conducted to assess whether real-time feedback on a driver's state can influence the driver's interaction with in-vehicle information systems (IVIS). Previous studies have shown that IVIS tasks can undermine driver safety by increasing driver distraction. Thus, mitigating driver distraction using a feedback mechanism appears promising. This study was designed to test real-time feedback that alerts drivers based on their off-road eye glances. Feedback was displayed in two display locations (vehicle-centered, and IVIS-centered) to 16 young and 13 middle-aged drivers. Distraction was observed as problematic for both age groups with delayed responses to a lead vehicle-braking event as indicated by delayed accelerator releases. Significant benefits were not observed for braking and steering behavior for this experiment, but there was a significant change in drivers' interaction with IVIS. When given feedback on their distracted state, drivers looked at the in-vehicle display less frequently regardless of where feedback was displayed in the vehicle. This indicates that real-time feedback based on the driver state can positively alter driver's engagement in distracting activities, helping them attend better to the roadway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attention*
  • Automobile Driving / psychology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Eye Movements*
  • Feedback, Psychological*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Safety*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Visual Perception*