This paper describes a study examining the effect of lowering the age limit for a probationary driving licence to sixteen, the age for a full licence remaining at eighteen. The purpose of lowering the age limit was to give learner drivers more driving experience under instruction. The study investigated what effect an increased number of driving hours during training had on driving style; and whether there was a relationship between increased driving training hours and experienced mental workload. Subjects were divided into those who had started training at sixteen, those who had started training at seventeen and a half, and older, experienced drivers (the control group). An instrumented car was driven along a pre-defined route in real traffic and following this the drivers completed a questionnaire on workload. Results showed little difference in driving style variables but the sixteen-years group experienced a lower mental workload and were therefore probably better equipped to deal with strenuous situations. For the covering abstract see ITRD E113725 (C 22328 CD-ROM).
Samenvatting