@article{ref1,
title="U can't touch this! Face touching behaviour whilst driving: implications for health, hygiene and human factors",
journal="Ergonomics",
year="2021",
author="Ralph, Finian and Large, David R. and Burnett, Gary and Lang, Alexandra and Morris, Andrew",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Analysis of thirty-one hours of video-data documenting 36 experienced drivers highlighted the prevalence of face-touching, with 819 contacts identified (mean frequency: 26.4 face touches/hour (FT/h); mean duration: 3.9-seconds). Fewer face-touches occurred in high primary workload conditions (where additional physical/cognitive demands were placed on drivers), compared to low workload (4.4 and 26.1 FT/h, respectively). In 42.5% of touches (or 11.2 FT/h), mucous membrane contact was made, with fingertips (33.1%) and thumbs (35.6%) most commonly employed. Individual behaviours differed (ranging from 5.1 to 90.7 FT/h), but there were no significant differences identified between genders, age-groups or hand used. <br><br>RESULTS are of relevance from an epidemiological/hygiene perspective within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic (and can therefore inform the design of practical solutions and encourage behavioural change to reduce the risk of self-inoculation while driving), but they also help to elucidate how habitual human behaviours are imbricated with the routine accomplishment of tasks.Practitioner Summary: The study highlights the propensity of face touching whilst driving through the analysis of on-road video datasets. <br><br>RESULTS have implications for the design of technological interventions (such as touchless interfaces and driver monitoring systems) and can inform awareness campaigns to reduce the risk of self-inoculation and infection transmission while driving.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0014-0139",
doi="10.1080/00140139.2021.2004241",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2021.2004241"
}