The author suggests that methodological shortcomings have limited the credibility of research findings on driver fatigue and failed to minimise the contribution of driver fatigue to road accidents. This chapter highlights some methodological difficulties and suggests more productive approaches to the problem. The definition of fatigue and its causes are discussed. Factors influencing fatigue are considered including age, personality, physical fitness and driving, traffic and work experience. The literature on methodological approaches is reviewed in terms of a) definitional implications, b) causal impications and c) mediational implications. It is suggested that fatigue should be defined as a declarative state based on self-perceptions of body distress, mood and performance. For the covering abstract see C 45915 (IRRD 876074).
Abstract