Effects of ISA-like I S T - applications on the communication behaviour of young car drivers in urban areas.

Young drivers are the group with the highest accident risk. The main causes of accidents are unadapted speed (27%), followed by mistakes in giving right of way (12%), mistakes in distance keeping (12%) and problems with turning (11%).uDrivers get involved in accidents due to lack of experience, finding themselves in unexpected situations and being too busy handling the car to give an adequate reaction at the same time. There are pressures on adolescents and young adults to establish an identity for themselves - to gain autonomy and acceptance by their peers. They respond to these demands, often by showy behaviour and the car is the means whereby they can demonstrate power and advantage, often by thrill seeking and risky behaviour. The car is seen not purely as a means of transport, but as a symbol of status and freedom. Risky drivers react strongly against restrictions, e.g. an alcoloc or ISA-like device which restricts their speed to 80 km/h. They do not wish to be labelled as novice drivers. ISA (Intelligent Speed Adaptation) is a system which helps the driver to control the car in the longitudinal direction. One such device, the AAP (Active Accelerator Pedal), can improve the communication of drivers with other road users. Effects of this are drivers giving way to pedestrian more often at zebra crossings and increased vehicle headways. ISA-like applications have a beneficial effect on drivers who have a positive attitude. This may not be so in the case of "risky" drivers and may possible change their driving for the worse. Misplaced trust in what is seen by them as a perfectly functioning system may give rise to a false sense of confidence. A work plan is to be implemented to investigate the interaction of groups of selected novice drivers with ISA-like applications in Austria and the Czech Republic. It is known that these devices have a beneficial effect on the communication with other road users of drivers who have a positive attitude. A questionnaire will be used to identify these people. For the covering abstract see ITRD E137489.