Effects of Experience and Short-Term Practice on Drivers' Eye Movements and Errors in Simulated Dangerous Situations

Abstract

Two groups of 10 subjects tracked a segment of the Aetna training film, Traffic Strategy, six times by manipulating the controls of an Aetna Drivo-Trainer station. One group was composed of licensed drivers, the other, nonlicensed. No significant differences were found with respect to: (1) use of the accelerator, (2) frequency of eye movements, (3) length of eye movements, (4) fixation errors, (5) driving errors, or (6) the relationship of control actions to driving errors. Differences were noted with respect to: (1) steering and braking, (2) the effects of practice on control actions and driving errors, and (3) the relationship of amplitude of eye movement to control actions and driving errors. The results are discussed in terms of possible differences in search strategy between experienced and inexperienced drivers.