This paper describes a study to evaluate the accurate self-perception of driving skills among experienced and newly-qualified drivers. Self-efficacy is a subjective assessment of ability to attain a certain level of performance. The aim of this study was to understand how self-efficacy contributes to performance, depending on task demands and changes in these. Drivers carried out a manoeuvre task on a track, in normal visibility and then wearing a helmet to simulate reduced visibility conditions. Subjects were also required to fill in a questionnaire before and after each driving trial. Analysis of performance and self-efficacy showed that the less experienced drivers increased their expectation of efficacy even when visibility was reduced, although the measure was less realistic when the reduced-visibility task was performed after that in normal visibility. This represents a risk in that inexperienced drivers show over-confidence. For the covering abstract see ITRD E113725 (C 22328 CD-ROM).
Samenvatting