Distracting tasks have persisting effects on young and older drivers' braking performance

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Human Factors Engineering
• Transportation Safety

Background:

• Driver distraction, such as cell phone use, is known to degrade driving performance.
• The duration and persistence of distraction effects on driving are not fully understood.
• Age-related differences in cognitive function and driving behavior are well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the persistence of driver distraction effects on braking performance.
• To examine age-related differences in the impact of distraction on driving.
• To explore the relationship between executive functioning and distraction-related performance deficits.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-three young and 61 older adults participated in a driving simulator study.
• Participants performed a lead-car following task with concurrent distracting activities (typing, reasoning, memorizing).
• Braking responses were measured in both multitasking and control conditions, with stimulus onset asynchrony of ~11.5 seconds.

Main Results:

• Braking responses significantly differed between multitasking and control conditions, indicating performance deficits and compensatory strategies.
• Significant age-related differences in braking were observed, though less pronounced during multitasking.
• All observed effects correlated with participants' executive functioning levels.

Conclusions:

• Distraction significantly impacts braking responses, with effects persisting for approximately 11.5 seconds due to a task set effect.
• Age differences in driving performance are modulated by distraction, with older adults showing less pronounced deficits in multitasking.
• Executive functioning plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of driver distraction.