Driver Stress and Performance on a Driving Simulator

Effects of stress on driving performance can depend on the nature of driver's stress reactions and on the traffic environment. In an experimental study, we assessed multiple dimensions of vulnerability to driver stress by a questionnaire that was validated in previous field studies and related...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human factors 1998-03, Vol.40 (1), p.136-149
Main Authors: Matthews, Gerald, Dorn, Lisa, Hoyes, Thomas W., Davies, D. Roy, Glendon, A. Ian, Taylor, Ray G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ability testing
Adolescent
Adult
Affect
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Applied psychology
Automobile drivers
Automobile driving
Automobile Driving - psychology
Automobile simulators
Biological and medical sciences
Cognition
England
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human engineering
Human reaction time
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motor vehicle driving
Psychological aspects
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychophysiology
Regression Analysis
Safety Management
Space life sciences
Sports. Leisure
Stress (Psychology)
Stress, Psychological - psychology
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Summary:Effects of stress on driving performance can depend on the nature of driver's stress reactions and on the traffic environment. In an experimental study, we assessed multiple dimensions of vulnerability to driver stress by a questionnaire that was validated in previous field studies and related those dimensions to performance on a driving simulator. Results were broadly consistent with prediction. A dimension of habitual dislike of driving was associated with reduced control skills, greater caution, and disturbance of moods. A measure of aggressive driving predicted more frequent and more error-prone overtaking, which are effects attributed to the use of confrontive coping strategies in interaction with other vehicles. An alertness measure predicted speed of reaction to pedestrian hazards. This research has practical applications for system design, automated monitoring of driver performance, selection and assessment of drivers, and training.
ISSN:0018-7208
1547-8181
DOI:10.1518/001872098779480569