This paper describes a study which investigated the impairment of human psychomotor skills related to driving induced by fatigue alone and by the combined effects of fatigue and alcohol. Age and experience was considered to be an important variable since young, inexperienced drivers are involved in a disproportionately high number of accidents. Ten young and inexperienced drinkers and drivers and ten older, experienced drinkers and drivers were subjected to the study. The fatigue session was a 180 minute three-way divided task carried out before and after an alcoholic drink or placebo was administered. Recordings were made of level of performance, reaction time and heart fate. Comparisons of young and old showed older drivers to be more prone to fatigue and that this was exacerbated by alcohol. For the covering abstract see C 45915 (IRRD 876074).
Samenvatting