Jacques Bergeron

Monotony of road environment and driver fatigue: a simulator study

Studies have shown that drowsiness and hypovigilance frequently occur during highway driving and that they may have serious implications in terms of accident causation. This paper focuses on the task induced factors that are involved in the development of these phenomena. A driving simulator study was conducted in order to evaluate the impact of the monotony of roadside visual stimulation using a steering wheel movement (SWM) analysis procedure. Fifty-six male subjects each drove during two different 40-min periods. In one case, roadside visual stimuli were essentially repetitive and monotonous, while in the other one, the environment contained disparate visual elements aiming to disrupt monotony without changing road geometry. Subjects driving performance was compared across these conditions in order to determine whether disruptions of monotony can have a positive effect and help alleviate driver fatigue. Results reveal an early time-on-task effect on driving performance for both driving periods and more frequent large SWM when driving in the more monotonous road environment, which implies greater fatigue and vigilance decrements. Implications in terms of environmental countermeasures for driver fatigue are discussed.

Fatigue and individual differences in monotonous simulated driving

Abstract This study aims at evaluating personality predictors of driver fatigue. Individual differences in subjects performance are well documented in vigilance studies. Since monotonous highway driving can be seen as a vigilance task, it is possible that these differences materialize in this context and explain a portion of fatigue-related driving errors and accidents. Fifty-six male subjects drove for two 40 min periods on a straight highway. Road environment was repetitive and monotonous in one condition (road A), whilst visual elements aiming to disrupt monotony were presented in the other one (road B). Multiple regression analyses showed that sensation seeking, and more specifically the Experience Seeking (ES) dimension, are predictive of the standard deviation of steering wheel movements, a performance measure used to assess driver fatigue. ES explains 12.3% of the observed variance on road A and 8% on road B. An interaction effect was also obtained between extraversion and sensation seeking on road A, where sensation seeking explained 26% of the observed variance, but only for the more extraverted subjects. Results also indicate that subjects who report falling asleep at the wheel in the past tend to be high sensation seekers. Implications in terms of driver evaluation and management are discussed

Factors affecting motivation during the first six weeks of treatment

Since the new conceptualization of motivation as a product of interpersonal exchanges, clinicians and researchers have shown a growing interest in understanding the process of and identifying factors increasing motivation for treatment. Elaborated from the self-determination theory, a motivational model was tested among 140 participants (recruited in a public outpatient readaptation center for substance-related disorders) who persevered in treatment for at least 6 weeks. The results support the usefulness of the self-determination theory in the field of motivation for treatment of substance-related disorders, and suggest some recommendations to enhance motivation: therapists must pay attention to the progression toward goal attainment and foster the perception of competence of their clients; treatment centers should offer a context that supports autonomy and that involves significant others.

Driving under the influence of cannabis: Links with dangerous driving, psychological predictors, and accident involvement

Driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) has become a growing concern. Studies investigating the impact of DUIC on traffic safety have shown evidence that, during the acute period of cannabis intoxication, cannabis diminishes driving faculties and is associated with an elevated risk of collision. However, DUIC drivers seem to exhibit a general reckless driving style that may contribute to an over-estimation of DUIC-related collisions among this group. In this study, we investigated DUIC drivers with respect to self-reported dangerous driving habits (e.g., risky driving, aggressive driving and negative emotional driving), behaviours observed in a driving simulator, psychological predictors and crash involvement. Results suggest that DUIC is associated with self-reported and observed risky driving and negative emotional driving. We also found that sensation seeking and impulsivity are independent psychological predictors of DUIC. Finally, a trend suggests that self-reported DUIC is associated with an increased risk of being involved in a car accident, after controlling for dangerous driving and demographic variables. Implications for interventions are discussed.

Differentiating risky and aggressive driving: Further support of the internal validity of the Dula Dangerous Driving Index

The Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI) is a cross-cultural validated instrument that measures simultaneously various manifestations of behaviours, cognitions, and affects associated with dangerous driving. The aims of the study were to translate the DDDI into French and then to verify the validity and reliability of the French version of the scale by means of observed behaviours on a driving simulator, and of self-reported measures of driving behaviours, personality and sociodemographic characteristics. A first sample of 395 drivers completed self-reported questionnaires and a second sample of 75 male drivers also completed tasks on a driving simulator. A confirmatory factorial analysis supported the internal validity of the scale. Findings also show that the French version of the DDDI yields good internal consistency, concomitant and convergent validity for each subscale (risky driving, negative cognitive/emotional driving and aggressive driving) and total score. The scale was useful to differentiate sociodemographic and psychological profiles associated with each subscale.

Understanding treatment impact on drug-addicted offenders.

This study examines variables that could predict treatment perseverance and impact for offenders (N = 124) admitted to one of five rehabilitation centers for alcoholics/drug addicts representing different regions of the province of Quebec. Information was collected on time spent in treatment, alcohol/drug use–related problems, motivation to change, criminal profile, subjects perception of judicial pressure, subjective assessment of importance/probability of judicial consequences tied to treatment dropout or substance use, quality of the therapeutic relationship, assessment of client commitment to treatment, and social support. Results indicate that judicial pressure only have impact on retention into treatment for those who are not already sentenced but this “forced” retention is not linked with positive results. The studys limitations are noted.

Relationships between frequency of driving under the influence of cannabis, self-reported reckless driving and risk-taking behavior observed in a driving simulator

INTRODUCTION The role of cannabis consumption in traffic crashes is unclear and the causal link between cannabis and collisions is still to be demonstrated. While cannabis use is very likely to impair driving ability, there is as yet no overwhelming evidence that cannabis use in isolation contributes more to collisions than other characteristics inherent to cannabis users. As noted in a growing body of literature, individuals driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) seem to exhibit a general reckless driving style putting them at higher risk to be involved in traffic crashes. METHOD This study aims at investigating the relationship between self-reported DUIC and reckless driving by means of self-reported measures and direct observations made in a driving simulator. Participants (n=72) were required to be between 18 and 25 years of age, to hold a valid drivers license, and to drive at least twice a week. They completed standard driving simulation tasks recreating everyday on-road trivial conditions. RESULTS Results show that people admitting that they commit more real-life dangerous driving behaviors reached higher maximum speed and demonstrated more reckless driving behaviors on the driving simulation tasks. Self-reported DUIC is associated with a risky driving style including a broad range of reckless on-road behaviors and support the problem driving behavior theory. Moreover, beyond confounding factors, both self-report DUIC and observed dangerous behaviors are associated with real-life traffic violations. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Since DUIC appears to be related to an overall reckless style of driving, it is proposed that public safety policies should be more holistic, simultaneously targeting multiple on-road dangerous behaviors for intervention.

The Impact of Treatment on Criminalized Substance Addicts

Abstract The objective of this research is to evaluate the impact of a treatment program specialized with criminalized addicts. In all, 119 criminalized addicts were admitted to the experimental procedure (specialized treatment) while 30 were admitted to a comparison group (general treatment). Both groups were contacted at five, eight, and eleven month intervals following the onset of the treatment process. Results showed that both groups improved. Those admitted to the unspecialized treatment improved earlier (in the first five months) than clients referred to the specialized treatment facility, however, after eight months, the improvement was similar for both groups.

Validity and relevance of self-report data provided by criminalized addicted persons in treatment

Treatment of criminalized individuals with addictions poses a number of difficulties. One of these difficulties is linked to the lack of validity – perceived or real – of self report. Lack of validity of self-report data could compromise the treatment process itself as well as the assessment of changes that have occurred in the course of treatment. The present study compares certain self-report data provided by criminalized addicts involved in a treatment program in Quebec (Canada) with other sources of information. The data come from 166 persons following a treatment specifically designed for criminalized persons. Two comparisons were made between participants’ self-report data and other data collected through this study to determine the validity and the relevance of the self-report data. The results suggest that these data are valid and that they may be advantageously used in treatment planning.

Could a "Monocular Advantage Effect" Be Measured in Driving Simulation?

Illusory depth perception experienced in driving simulators is afforded by monocular depth information contained in visual displays. Presumably binocular convergence and binocular disparity, though useful for depth perception in real environments, may poorly contribute to illusory depth in a driving simulator. Instead, they may generate conflicting information by revealing the distance of the display screen and its flatness. Nevertheless, illusory depth induced by monocular information contained in visual displays usually produces enough immersion and realism to create the illusion of driving in a real environment. Many authors have noted improved depth perception in paintings, photographs, and even in drawings when viewed monocularly. However, this effect, known as monocular advantage, has never been explored in driving simulation. The purpose of this experiment was to assess whether the effect might exist in driving simulation. It was expected that drivers would perceive distances in depth better and more accurately with a monocular than with a binocular viewing of the display. Distance estimates were evaluated for two types of driving maneuvers referred to as alignment and bisection. Results showed that when significant performance differences between monocular and binocular viewing conditions occurred, target cars were perceived farther in depth and more accurately using monocular vision. Alternative viewing conditions using both eyes are discussed at the end of the article.