Effect of Distraction Complexity on Driving Performance and Emergency Event Response

Abstract

Driver distraction is widely accepted as one factor that contributes to automobile crashes. Driver distracters include those objects or events both inside and outside the vehicle that serve to redirect the driver's attention away from the task of driving. Previous research has indicated that various degrees of distraction complexity may influence driver performance differentially. However, these results are mixed and require further examination. The present investigation examines the influence of varying levels of complexity of an in-vehicle distracter on driving performance and on the driver's reaction to an emergency event. Results indicated males exhibited greater standard deviation of lane deviation than females, and both low and high levels of distraction complexity resulted in greater lane deviation than no distraction. The theoretical and practical ramifications of the present research are discussed.