@article{ref1,
title="Alcohol effects on drivers' speed management: the influence of visual performance and road complexity",
journal="Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs",
year="2024",
author="Casares-López, Miriam and Castro-Torres, José Juan and Ortiz-Peregrina, Sonia and Martino, Francesco and Granados-Delgado, Pilar and Del Barco, Luis Jiménez",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to assess how drivers adapt their driving speed as a self-regulation mechanism when driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA), and the influence of alcohol consumption, visual performance, road complexity, and personal traits. <br><br>METHOD: Thirty one volunteers took part in the study. All of them underwent three experimental sessions: Baseline (no alcohol), Alcohol 1 (low-moderate dose), and Alcohol 2 (moderate-high dose). Vision was tested by means of contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight. Driving performance was assessed using a driving simulator. The difference between the driving speed and the speed limit was calculated in 10 road scenarios of different complexity. <br><br>RESULTS: Drivers adapted their driving speed less (i.e., drove faster) in Alcohol 1 condition compared to Alcohol 2 (p = 0.007). This indicate that participants felt more confident under the influence of a low-moderate dose of alcohol. Participants with better contrast sensitivity drove faster (p = 0.021). The complexity of the road and other factors such as driving experience, gender, or DUIA frequency, also influenced speed choice. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Drivers under the influence of a low-moderate dose of alcohol seem to be less aware of the risk. Contrast sensitivity is a good predictor of the speed choice when DUIA. A better understanding of drivers' behavior under the influence of substance use may be useful to adjust and improve the traffic laws and driving regulations.  Keywords: Ethanol impaired driving <p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1937-1888",
doi="10.15288/jsad.24-00020",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.15288/jsad.24-00020"
}