The expectancy systems produced by experience usually operate correctly but occasionally produce incorrect responses; for example, routine errors can occur in expert functioning. This paper presents research which attempts to examine driving activity to reveal the potentially negative effects resulting from an intensive use of a process incorporating a cognitive component. Road accidents were studied to reveal this potential source of error, `over-experience'. A sample of accident cases involving over-experienced drivers was analysed, to identify the different types of error that can be produced in this way, and identify the types of situation where these negative effects become a reality. Accidents involving experienced drivers were selected from the 500 cases in the INRETS-MA in-depth database. Several specific types of failure of driving behaviour were found for crossing an intersection without or with right of way, driving through bends, and car following. The study's second stage was the development of an experimental device, using a maze, to investigate more systematically the influence of over-experience in the cognitive processes previously identified as defective. It was used to 'reproduce' some of the basic components found in driving, while being able to manipulate experience artificially.
Abstract