The effects of focused attention training on the duration of novice drivers' glances inside the vehicle

• Published in: Ergonomics Vol. 54; no. 10; pp. 917 - 931
• Main Authors: Pradhan †, A.K., Divekar, G., Masserang, K., Romoser, M., Zafian, T., Blomberg, R.D., Thomas, F.D., Reagan, I., Knodler, M., Pollatsek, A., Fisher, D.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis 01.10.2011; Washington, DC Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Adolescent; Applied physiology; Attention; Automobile drivers; Automobile Driving - education; Biological and medical sciences; Computer-Assisted Instruction; distraction; Ergonomics; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Eye Movements; Female; field driving study; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Learning; Male; Medical sciences; novice drivers; Task Performance and Analysis; Time Factors; Traffic accidents & safety; training; Vehicle driver; Human; distraction; Ergonomics; Vehicle driving; Attention; field driving study; eye movements; training; Eye movement; Field study; novice drivers
• ISSN: 0014-0139; 1366-5847
• DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2011.607245

Several studies have documented that the failure of drivers to attend to the forward roadway for a period lasting longer than 2-3 s is a major cause of highway crashes. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that novice drivers are more likely to glance away from the roadway than the experienced drivers for extended periods when attempting to do a task inside the vehicle. The present study examines the efficacy of a PC-based training programme (FOrward Concentration and Attention Learning, FOCAL) designed to teach novice drivers not to glance away forthese extended periods of time. A FOCAL-trained group was compared with a placebo-trained group in an on-road test, and the FOCAL-trained group made significantly fewer glances away from the roadway that were more than 2 s than the placebo-trained group. Other measures indicated an advantage for the FOCAL-trained group as well. Statement of relevance: Distracted driving is increasingly a problem, as cell phones, navigation systems, and other in-vehicle devices are introduced into the cabin of the automobile. A training programme is described that has beentested on the open road and can reduce the behaviours that lead to crashes caused by the distracted driving.