Conference Proceeding

Drivers' Perception of and Response to Brake Failure

Authors

• • Hamish Jamson hamish@psyc.leeds.ac.uk Email Hamish Jamson. (compose email, opens in email app.)
  • University of Leeds, U.K.
• • Paul Smith
  • University of Leeds, U.K.

Abstract

The behaviour and emotional state of 48 drivers was investigated during both servo booster and hydraulic circuit brake failures on a proving ground. Results suggested that the most informed and least “stressed” drivers seemed to be the most successful in bringing the test vehicle to a safe stop. The interpretation of these results fed into a study using a driving simulator. Interventions were examined that tested both the “engineering” of the vehicle to a more stringent interpretation of current legislation and driver “information” with a novel visual/auditory warning system. Targeting the vehicle, not the driver, seemed to the best way to manage the rare event of brake failure.

Keywords:

How to Cite: Jamson, H. & Smith, P. (2003) “Drivers' Perception of and Response to Brake Failure”, Driving Assessment Conference Archive. 2(2003). doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/drivingassessment.1129