Training hazard perception of young novice drivers: a driving simulator study

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this driving simulator study was to determine whether young novice drivers that were trained in hazard perception performed better than young novice drivers that did not perceive training, immediately after training and two to four weeks after receiving the training. Participants: Young novice drivers between the ages of 17 and 25 and held their temporary or permanent driver's license. Training design: the pretest, training or control intervention, and the posttest were all conducted on the first test day. The follow-up test was conducted two to four weeks later to study the persistence of the training effect over time. Eye tracking data served as dependent variables of interest. More specifically, hazard detection variables (i.e. correct hazard detection and detection time) and a hazard handling variable (i.e. rear mirror use). Results: The hazard handling scores were significantly higher for the trained group, as indicated by a significantly higher percentage of rear mirror use, and this effect persisted over time. The trained group performed significantly better in terms of detection time and correct hazard detection both during the posttest and retention test. Together, the content and design of the training importantly contribute to the current literature. As for the content, the trainability of a hazard handling component (i.e., rear mirror use) was explored. As for the design, the study employed a randomized controlled design in which the program design of the control group resembled the program design structure of the trained group, which guarantees valid conclusions. Additionally, there was both pre- and posttest evaluation and the short-term effects of the training were reassessed in a retention test.