This article describes an investigation into the influence of tanker drivers personality upon their physio psychological reaction todriving tasks when using a:) a tanker which is specially designed for optimum passive and active safety (the TOPAS truck); and b) a normal tanker. Seven experienced male drivers were chosen. The data collection period covered 832 working hours, during which the drivers completed their usual routes and routines. The psychological variables measured at 10 second intervals throughout included: heart rate; breathing frequency; and muscle tension (measured in the lower arm). Subjective indicators of danger were measured by a second experimentin which seven types of road types were presented to the drivers inthe form of paired comparisons. The drivers were also interviewed to ascertain: a) their level of anxiety; and b) their defence mechanisms.
Abstract