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Title: Distraction “Hangover”: Characterization of the Delayed Return to Baseline Driving Risk After Distracting Behaviors
Objective We measured how long distraction by a smartphone affects simulated driving behaviors after the tasks are completed (i.e., the distraction hangover). Background Most drivers know that smartphones distract. Trying to limit distraction, drivers can use hands-free devices, where they only briefly glance at the smartphone. However, the cognitive cost of switching tasks from driving to communicating and back to driving adds an underappreciated, potentially long period to the total distraction time. Method Ninety-seven 21- to 78-year-old individuals who self-identified as active drivers and smartphone users engaged in a simulated driving scenario that included smartphone distractions. Peripheral-cue and car-following tasks were used to assess driving behavior, along with synchronized eye tracking. Results The participants’ lateral speed was larger than baseline for 15 s after the end of a voice distraction and for up to 25 s after a text distraction. Correct identification of peripheral cues dropped about 5% per decade of age, and participants from the 71+ age group missed seeing about 50% of peripheral cues within 4 s of the distraction. During distraction, coherence with the lead car in a following task dropped from 0.54 to 0.045, and seven participants rear-ended the lead car. Breadth of scanning contracted by 50% after distraction. Conclusion Simulated driving performance drops dramatically after smartphone distraction for all ages and for both voice and texting. Application Public education should include the dangers of any smartphone use during driving, including hands-free.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1640909
NSF-PAR ID:
10290368
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
ISSN:
0018-7208
Page Range / eLocation ID:
001872082110122
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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