Using cutting-edge methods for measuring brain activity in conjunction with driving performance, this research develops a methodology for measuring cognitive distraction associated with performing non-driving-related tasks while driving.
June 2013
Suggested Citation
For media inquiries, contact:
Tamra Johnson
202-942-2079
TRJohnson@national.aaa.com
In this landmark study of distracted driving, the AAA Foundation challenges the notion that drivers are safe and attentive as long as their eyes are on the road and their hands are on the wheel. Using cutting-edge methods for measuring brain activity and assessing indicators of driving performance, this research examines the mind of the driver, and highlights the mental distractions caused by a variety of tasks that may be performed behind the wheel.
By creating a first-of-its-kind rating scale of driver distractions, this study shows that certain activities – such as talking on a hands-free cell phone or interacting with a speech-to-text email system – place a high cognitive burden on drivers, thereby reducing the available mental resources that can be dedicated to driving. By demonstrating that mentally-distracted drivers miss visual cues, have slower reaction times, and even exhibit a sort of tunnel vision, this study provides some of the strongest evidence yet that “hands-free” doesn’t mean risk free.
Objectives:
Methods:
Three experiments were performed:
Several measures were used to assess cognitive workload, such as:
A seventh and eighth condition – non-distracted driving, and a complex series of math and verbal problems (OSPAN task) – were included to anchor the low and high ends of the rating scale, respectively.
Measurements from all experiments were standardized to create one rating scale
The scale to the left ranks the six common driver tasks according to the amount of cognitive workload they impose on drivers. The two anchor conditions (single-task non-distracted driving, and the complex OSPAN math and verbal task) represent the low (1) and high (5) ends of the scale, respectively. The other scores are standardized from the three experiments, and demonstrate that while some tasks, like listening to the radio, are not very distracting, others – such as maintaining phone conversations and interacting with speech-to-text systems – place a high cognitive demand on drivers and degrade performance and brain activity necessary for safe driving.
Suggested Citation
For media inquiries, contact:
Tamra Johnson
202-942-2079
TRJohnson@national.aaa.com