Young drivers display more risk-taking behaviour than other age groups. Performing distracting tasks is a risky behaviour that young drivers tend to engage in, but may not be able to compensate for appropriately. A driving simulator study with 53 young drivers (aged 18 to 21) was conducted to assess the level of engagement with an in-vehicle secondary task. A cluster analysis revealed three groups of drivers that significantly differed based on eye glance behaviour and driving performance: drivers with low risk, moderate risk, and high risk behaviour. A subgroup of these drivers was provided with feedback to help modulate their distracting activities. The results suggest that the riskiest group benefited most from feedback. The findings have implications for developing better crash countermeasures to mitigate the effects of distraction. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting