Effect of distraction task on driving performance of experienced taxi drivers

Abstract

Background: Driving performance is influenced by human, vehicular, and environmental factors. Objectives: To investigate the effects of distraction tasks, such as sending a text message (STM) and searching a navigation device (SN), on the driving performance of experienced taxi drivers. Methods: Twelve male taxi drivers (age: 56.3 ± 4.4 y; experience: 28.4 ± 6.4 y) and 14 female taxi drivers (age: 55.5 ± 3.5 y; experience: 19.4 ± 5.0 y) drove in a simulator at a constant speed (90 km/h) for 2 min while maintaining a gap of 30 m from the car in front, also traveling at 90 km/h. Participants were instructed to drive only for the first 1 min (control phase). For an additional 1 min (task phase), they were instructed to drive only, drive + STM, or drive + SN. Results: Compared with driving only, during driving + STM or driving + SN, the drivers' skin conductance level was relatively increased, suggesting that the distraction task increased the drivers' workload and sympathetic nervous system activity. Compared with driving only, during driving + STM or driving + SN, the average distance from the car in front, speed deviation, and anterior-posterior and medial-lateral coefficients of variation increased, suggesting that maintaining the instructed gap and speed, and the longitudinal and transverse control of the car, was more difficult because of the distraction task. Conclusions: Even for highly experienced taxi drivers, distraction tasks increased workload, increased the difficulty of vehicle control, and detracted from safe driving.

A Review of Psychophysiological Measures to Assess Cognitive States in Real-World Driving

“…A recent study reported SCR amplitude increased with cognitive load due to dual-task driving (Ruscio et al, 2017 ). Additional workload experienced due to texting and navigation (Seo et al, 2017 ) and speeding (Kajiwara, 2014 ) while simulated driving was also found to increase EDA.…”

Evidence-based policy, legislation, and enforcement: a need for concerted actions toward road safety

“…Performing secondary tasks while Editorial Office of Asian Biomedicine driving can distract attention from driving and increase the possibility of traffic accidents. In this issue of Asian Biomedicine, Seo et al have brought attention to the effects of distracting activities, such as sending a text message or searching navigation, on the driving performance of experienced drivers [7]. They demonstrated a change in the skin conductance level, which is a surrogate measure of the level of activation of the sympathetic nervous system during distraction activities [7].…”

“…In this issue of Asian Biomedicine, Seo et al have brought attention to the effects of distracting activities, such as sending a text message or searching navigation, on the driving performance of experienced drivers [7]. They demonstrated a change in the skin conductance level, which is a surrogate measure of the level of activation of the sympathetic nervous system during distraction activities [7]. They also demonstrated a relative change in average following distances and speed deviation [7].…”

“…They demonstrated a change in the skin conductance level, which is a surrogate measure of the level of activation of the sympathetic nervous system during distraction activities [7]. They also demonstrated a relative change in average following distances and speed deviation [7]. Performing secondary tasks increased the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral coefficients of variation of the car [7].…”

“…They also demonstrated a relative change in average following distances and speed deviation [7]. Performing secondary tasks increased the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral coefficients of variation of the car [7]. While further studies are needed to determine the details of the interaction between performance of drivers and the distraction activities, guidelines and law enforcement are urgently needed to improve road traffic safety in this regard.…”