The effects of a mobile telephone conversation on drivers reaction time, lane position, speed level, and workload in two driving conditions (easy versus hard driving task) were studied in an advanced driving simulator. 40 subjects, experienced drivers in the ages 23 to 61 years, were randomly assigned to four experimental conditions. It was found that a mobile telephone conversation had a negative effect on drivers reaction time, when the driving task was easy. It led to a reduction of speed, when the driving task was easy. It had a negative effect on drivers' lane position, most pronounced when the tracking component of the driving task was hard. Finally, it led to an increase in workload for both the easy and hard driving task. The effects were discussed in terms of what subtask, car driving or telephone conversation, the drivers gave the highest priority. Some implications for information systems in future cars were discussed. (A)
Samenvatting