A Driving Simulation Study on The Effectiveness of Technologies Against Distracted Driving

Being distracted while driving is one of the main causes of road accidents. To counter the negative effects produced by distraction, onboard sensors, i.e., Technology Against Distracted Driving (TAD) may be used to (i) monitor eye activity, (ii) alert distracted drivers, and (iii) prevent the development of hazardous driving conditions. In this study, the effectiveness of a commercially-available low-cost TAD on participants, who were asked to perform a secondary task that involved a physical, visual, and cognitive distraction while driving, was assessed. Forty-two participants were randomly stratified (by age, gender, and experience) into three groups: (i) group A drivers drove without being distracted, (ii) group B drivers were distracted, and (iii) group C drivers were distracted but benefited from the presence of a TAD device. Driver performance was evaluated along a motorway segment using longitudinal and transversal behavioral factors. Drivers reduced speed and speed deviation when engaged in a secondary task, but experienced a significant deterioration in vehicle lateral control with respect to those in the control group. Conversely, when they used an anti-distraction device to contrast secondary task occurrence, their lateral control improved considerably but their longitudinal behavior changed. In particular, females maintained a prudent speed level to compensate for the distraction caused by engagement in the secondary activity, while males compensated by significantly increasing their speeds and speed deviations.