Conference Proceeding

Cognitive Distraction Impairs Drivers' Anticipatory Glances: An On-Road Study

Authors
  • Francesco Biondi (University of Padova, Italy)
  • Daniel M Turrill (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT)
  • James R Coleman (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT)
  • Joel M Cooper (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT)
  • David L Strayer (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT)

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of cognitive distraction on drivers’ anticipatory glances. Participants drove an instrumented vehicle and executed a number of secondary tasks associated with increasing levels of mental workload including: listening to the radio or audiobook, talking on a handheld or hands-free cellphone, interacting with a voice-based e-mail/text system, and executing a highly demanding task (Operational Span task; OSPAN). Drivers’ visual scanning behavior was recorded by four different high definition cameras and coded offline frame-by-frame. Visual scanning behavior at road intersections with crosswalks was targeted because distraction is one of the major causes of accidents at these locations (NHTSA, 2010a). Despite the familiarity of the locations, results showed that as the secondary-task became more cognitively demanding drivers reduced the amount of anticipatory glances to potential hazards locations. For example, while interacting with a high fidelity voice-based email/text system, the probability of executing a complete scan of the intersection was reduced by 11% compared to the no-distraction control condition. These results document the effects of cognitive distraction on drivers’ visual scanning for potential hazards and highlight the detrimental role of voice based systems on driving behavior.

How to Cite:

Biondi, F. & Turrill, D. & Coleman, J. & Cooper, J. & Strayer, D., (2015) “Cognitive Distraction Impairs Drivers' Anticipatory Glances: An On-Road Study”, Driving Assessment Conference 8(2015), 23-29. doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/drivingassessment.1546

Rights: Copyright © 2015 the author(s)

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Published on
23 Jun 2015
Peer Reviewed