Prospective memory while driving: comparison of time- and event-based intentions

• Published in: Ergonomics 2017-06, Vol.60 (6), p.780-790
• Main Authors: Trawley, Steven L., Stephens, Amanda N., Rendell, Peter G., Groeger, John A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Attention; Automobile driving; Automobile Driving - psychology; Computer Simulation; delayed intentions; distractions; Driver behavior; Drivers; Driving; Driving ability; driving simulator; Ergonomics; Female; Humans; Intention; Lead; Male; Memory; Memory, Episodic; Middle Aged; Prospective memory; Space life sciences; Task Performance and Analysis; Time Factors; Traffic accidents & safety; Velocity; virtual environment
• ISSN: 0014-0139; 1366-5847
• DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2016.1214288

Prospective memories can divert attentional resources from ongoing activities. However, it is unclear whether these effects and the theoretical accounts that seek to explain them will generalise to a complex real-world task such as driving. Twenty-four participants drove two simulated routes while maintaining a fixed headway with a lead vehicle. Drivers were given either event-based (e.g. arriving at a filling station) or time-based errands (e.g. on-board clock shows 3:30). In contrast to the predominant view in the literature which suggests time-based tasks are more demanding, drivers given event-based errands showed greater difficulty in mirroring lead vehicle speed changes compared to the time-based group. Results suggest that common everyday secondary tasks, such as scouting the roadside for a bank, may have a detrimental impact on driving performance. The additional finding that this cost was only evident with the event-based task highlights a potential area of both theoretical and practical interest. Practitioner Summary: Drivers were given either time- or event-based errands whilst engaged in a simulated drive. We examined the effect of errands on an ongoing vehicle follow task. In contrast to previous non-driving studies, event-based errands are more disruptive. Common everyday errands may have a detrimental impact on driving performance.