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Accid Anal Prev. 2009 Jan;41(1):115-22. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2008.10.008. Epub 2008 Nov 12.

Driver-initiated distractions: examining strategic adaptation for in-vehicle task initiation.

Author information

1
Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, 71 Frankland Road, Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA. william.horrey@libertymutual.com

Abstract

Today, drivers are faced with many in-vehicle activities that are potentially distracting. In many cases, they are not passive recipients of these tasks; rather, drivers decide whether or not (or how) to perform them. In this study, we examined whether drivers, given knowledge of the upcoming road demands, would strategically delay performing in-vehicle activities until demands were reduced. Twenty drivers drove an instrumented van around a closed track that was divided into sections of varying demands and difficulty. Drivers were asked to perform one of four in-vehicle tasks (e.g., phone conversation; read a text message; find an address; pick up an object on the floor); however, they were free to decide when to initiate these tasks, provided they finish them before a given deadline. Although drivers were fully aware of the relative demands of the road, they did not tend to strategically postpone tasks--a finding that was consistent across the different tasks (p >.05). Rather, drivers tended to initiate tasks regardless of the current driving conditions. This strategy frequently led to driving errors. Given the control that drivers have over many in-vehicle distractions, interventions that focus on strategic decisions and planning may have merit.

PMID:
19114145
DOI:
10.1016/j.aap.2008.10.008
[Indexed for MEDLINE]
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