Citation

Kass SJ, Cole KS, Stanny CJ. Transp. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 2007; 10(4): 321-329.

Affiliation

Univ of West Florida, Dept of Psychology, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA; Texas Tech Univ, Dept of Psychology, Lubbock, TX 79409-2051, USA (skass@uwf.edu)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.trf.2006.12.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined the impact of cell phone conversation on situation awareness and performance of novice and experienced drivers. Driving performance and situation awareness among novice drivers ages 14-16 (n = 25) and experienced drivers ages 21-52 (n = 26) were assessed using a driving simulator. Performance was measured by the number of driving infractions committed: speeding, collisions, pedestrians struck, stop signs missed, and centerline and road edge crossings. Situation awareness was assessed through a query method and through participants' performance on a direction-following task. Cognitive distractions were induced through simulated hands-free cell phone conversations. The results indicated that novice drivers committed more driving infractions and were less situationally aware than their experienced counterparts. However, the two groups suffered similar decrements in performance during the cell phone condition. This study provides evidence of the detrimental effects of cell phone use for both novice and experienced drivers. These findings have implications for supporting driving legislation that limits the use of cell phones (including hands-free) in motor vehicles, regardless of the driver's experience level.


Keywords: Driver distraction

Language: en