Simulating the effect of different lighting conditions on left-turn driving behavior using a scenario-based anger...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Traffic Safety
• Human Factors

Background:

• Anger impacts driver judgment and skills.
• Previous research on anger and driving lacks comparative lighting conditions.
• Left-turn driving is a complex maneuver often associated with accidents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of anger on left-turn driving behavior under day and night conditions.
• To compare anger intensity, gap acceptance, and post encroachment time (PET) between lighting conditions and emotional states.
• To examine gender differences in response to situational driving anger under varying light.

Main Methods:

• A driving simulation experiment involving 32 licensed drivers.
• Participants were divided into neutral and anger emotional states, with anger induced by a traffic video.
• Data collected on anger intensity, gap acceptance, and PET during simulated left turns.

Main Results:

• Nighttime driving with anger led to higher anger intensity, shorter gap acceptance, and longer PET compared to daytime.
• Angry participants accepted shorter gaps and had longer PETs than neutral participants.
• Male participants exhibited higher anger intensity and riskier driving decisions (shorter gap acceptance, longer PET) than females, irrespective of lighting.

Conclusions:

• Anger negatively affects left-turn driving safety, particularly at night.
• Drivers in an angry state demonstrate impaired decision-making, accepting smaller gaps and exhibiting increased post encroachment time.
• Male drivers are more susceptible to intense anger and subsequent risky driving behaviors, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.