Non-professional Drivers Research Articles

Distraction and related risk factors among professional and non-professional drivers

BackgroundDistraction is one of the main driver's behavioral factors that reduces the performance of the drivers and might increase the accident risk. Distraction while driving holds significant importance, especially among professional drivers, and failure to address this matter may result in adverse implications for traffic safety. The present study was conducted to investigate distraction and related risk factors between two groups of private vehicle drivers and taxi drivers. MethodsThis analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in Tabriz, Iran in 2022. The total sample size in this study was 701 taxi drivers, professional drivers, and private vehicle drivers. The independent samples t-test was used to determine the statistically significant difference between groups and its sub-scales between the two studied groups. Moreover, the multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictors that affect distraction score. The test's level of significance was considered at 0.05. ResultsThe mean distraction score among taxi drivers surpasses that of private vehicle drivers (2.82 vs. 2.32, p-value<0.05). The drivers with negative scores, over the past year, among private vehicle drivers and taxi drivers were 2.5 % and 5.2 %, respectively (p-value<0.05). A group of taxi drivers exhibits a higher level of distraction while driving and the mean distraction score for private vehicle drivers is lower than that of taxi drivers (β = −0.11, CI 95 %: 0.17, −0.05). Also, a history of damage or injury accidents has a significant impact on distraction while driving (β = 0.12, CI 95 %; 0.06–0.17). ConclusionsThe results indicate that distraction while driving is high amongst taxi drivers rather than private vehicle drivers. To have effective driver safety promotion interventions, it is recommended to consider driver distraction based on professional and non-professional drivers.

Comparative Analyses of Hamstring Tightness and Sitting Duration Among Professional and Non-Professional Drivers in a Nigerian Community

Comparative Analyses of Hamstring Tightness and Sitting Duration Among Professional and Non-Professional Drivers in a Nigerian Community

Driving patterns in connected environments: A case study of intersection-approaching behavior of professional and non-professional drivers

The in-vehicle communication provides promising opportunities to improve the road safety and traffic efficiency. Previous studies demonstrated that the professional drivers have better driving skills than the non-professional drivers who allocate more attention to secondary tasks. However, they may not be sensitive to the new in-vehicle technology. In addition, these qualitative studies failed to elaborate on the visual and response behavior differences among different driver groups (professional drivers such as taxi, bus, motorcoach, and non-professional drivers), and lacked the quantitative analysis of driving patterns in a new environment. This paper explores the differences in visual interaction, response characteristics, driving performance, and behavior patterns between the professional and non-professional drivers in the connected environment through a case study of intersection-approaching behavior using a driving simulator. More precisely, two driving scenarios (baseline and human–machine interface (HMI)) were designed in the driving simulator, and 65 participants, including 34 professional drivers and 31 non-professional drivers, completed the experiment. In the HMI scenario, the driver was provided with the signal light phase and phase transition remaining time of the current intersection. This paper also proposes a driving pattern extraction model based on the Bayesian non-parametric method combined with a text clustering algorithm to perform a quantitative description of the driving patterns. The results show that the professional drivers tend to interact less with the HMI compared with the non-professional drivers. Moreover, the professional drivers’ first gaze at the HMI occurs and responds earlier. The proposed driving model can effectively describe 7 patterns of intersection-approaching behavior. The connected information can significantly improve the efficiency of the intersection traffic and the driving behavior. However, the professional drivers are more responsive and behave more consistently. This study can provide insights into the development of personalized assisted driving systems, as the two driving populations differ in their interactions, responses, and behavioral patterns.

Comparative study on electroencephalography characteristics of professional and non-professional drivers in tunnel sections: A field investigation.

The tunnel section is a complex traffic scenario and an accident prone area. There are differences in the performance of different driving groups in tunnel environments, which may have an impact on traffic safety. To study the differences in the impact of tunnel environment on professional and non-professional drivers. Based on the vehicle experimental data, the electroencephalography (EEG) power was compared for professional and non-professional drivers. The impact of illumination changes and longitudinal slope on different driving groups was analyzed. At tunnel entrance with severely reduced lighting, the adaptation time of non-professional drivers to the light environment is 1.5 times that of professional drivers. When driving on the longitudinal slope, professional drivers perform better. The greater the longitudinal slope, the more obvious the advantages of professional drivers. However, in areas with relatively good traffic conditions, professional drivers are more prone to be distracted. Professional and non-professional drivers have their own advantages and disadvantages in the tunnel environment. In general, the driving adaptability of professional drivers is better than that of non-professional drivers in tunnel sections. The research conclusions provide a reference for driver safety training.

Vairavimo stiliaus prognostinė analizė: demografinių ir kognityvinių veiksnių reikšmė

This study aimed to compare four driving styles among professional and non-professional Lithuanian drivers and to assess the significance of demographic and cognitive factors in predicting investigated driving styles. The study included data from 446 nonprofessional drivers (mean of age 32.6 years) and 200 professional drivers (mean of age 47.7 years) in Lithuania. The research questionnaire comprised demographic data and self-report instruments for driving styles road risk perception and driving skills (perceptual-motor and safety) assessment. An interactive, video-based hazard prediction test was used to evaluate road hazard perception skills. The study results showed that professional drivers possess a more aggressive and more careless driving style, while nonprofessional drivers exhibited a more anxious driving style. It was found that longer driving experience, better self-assessed perceptual-motor skills, but poorer self-reported safety driving skills, were significant predictors for a driving style associated with a careless as well as with aggression, demonstrated among younger drivers. A poorer self-assessment of perceptual-motor driving skills was significantly associated with an anxious driving style among both professional and nonprofessional drivers with more driving experience. Finally, this study revealed that a safe driving style is significantly predicted by greater self-assessed perceptual-motor and safety driving skills.

ASSESSMENT OF DOWNGRADING AGE REQUIREMENT ON STUDENT PERMIT AND NON – PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE IN SAN PABLO CITY, LAGUNA

This study is an assessment of the perception of lowering the age requirement for student permits and non-professional driver’s licenses. Using a descriptive research design, the study was conducted in Land Transportation Office San Pablo with eleven LTO employees/enforcers and one hundred LTO clients of varying profiles. Data was collected through purposive sampling and self-made printed survey questionnaires, which included the age, sex, and driving experience of the respondents. The research aimed to assess the newly implemented policy. The results revealed that despite differences in profiles and driving experience, respondents agreed that young applicants have knowledge of traffic rules and regulations and vehicle maintenance. However, further training is needed to enhance their driving skills and avoid potential issues. These findings have implications for policymakers, road safety advocates, and drivers, suggesting that a lower age requirement is acceptable if applicants have adequate knowledge and training. In conclusion, this study contributes to people’ understanding of how age requirements for driver’s licenses impact traffic safety. The results suggest that decreasing age restrictions is not a major concern, but rather the emphasis should be on increasing knowledge and skills to prevent traffic accidents, especially among young drivers. This study highlights the need for evidence-based regulations and further research in this area to ensure the safety of all road users.

Psychophysiology of Monotonous Driving, Fatigue and Sleepiness in Train and Non-Professional Drivers: Driver Safety Implications.

Fatigue and sleepiness are complex bodily states associated with monotony as well as physical and cognitive impairment, accidents, injury, and illness. Moreover, these states are often characteristic of professional driving. However, most existing work has focused on motor vehicle drivers, and research examining train drivers remains limited. As such, the present study psychophysiologically examined monotonous driving, fatigue, and sleepiness in a group of passenger train drivers and a group of non-professional drivers. Sixty-three train drivers and thirty non-professional drivers participated in the present study, which captured 32-lead electroencephalogram (EEG) data during a monotonous driving task. Fatigue and sleepiness were self-evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Karolinksa Sleepiness Scale, and the Checklist of Individual Strength. Unexpectedly, fatigue and sleepiness scores did not significantly differ between the groups; however, train drivers generally scored lower than non-professional drivers, which may be indicative of individual and/or industry attempts to reduce fatigue. Across both groups, fatigue and sleepiness scores were negatively correlated with theta, alpha, and beta EEG variables clustered towards the fronto-central and temporal regions. Broadly, these associations may reflect a monotony-associated blunting of neural activity that is associated with a self-reported fatigue state.

Real-time forecasting of driver-vehicle dynamics on 3D roads: A deep-learning framework leveraging Bayesian optimisation

Most state-of-the-art works in trajectory forecasting for automotive target predicting the pose and orientation of the agents in the scene. This represents a particularly useful problem, for instance in autonomous driving, but it does not cover a spectrum of applications in control and simulation that require information on vehicle dynamics features other than pose and orientation. Also, multi-step dynamic simulation of complex multibody models does not seem to be a viable solution for real-time long-term prediction, due to the high computational time required. To bridge this gap, we present a deep-learning framework to model and predict the evolution of the coupled driver-vehicle system dynamics jointly on a complex road geometry. It consists of two components. The first, a neural network predictor, is based on Long Short-Term Memory autoencoders and fuses the information on the road geometry and the past driver-vehicle system dynamics to produce context-aware predictions. The second, a Bayesian optimiser, is proposed to tune some significant hyperparameters of the network. These govern the network complexity, as well as the features importance. The result is a self-tunable framework with real-time applicability, which allows the user to specify the features of interest. The approach has been validated with a case study centred on motion cueing algorithms, using a dataset collected during test sessions of a non-professional driver on a dynamic driving simulator. A 3D track with complex geometry has been employed as driving environment to render the prediction task challenging. Finally, the robustness of the neural network to changes in the driver and track was investigated to set guidelines for future works.

Semiotic Analysis: A Study Of The Interpretation Of Road Signs Among Professional And Non-Professional Drivers In District Mardan

The aim of the current study is to examine how professional and non-professional drivers can comprehend the traffic signs that are most prevalent in the Mardan region. This research intends to draw attention to the differences between drivers' perceptions and understanding. This study also intends to determine how education affects the comprehension and interpretation of professional and non-professional drivers. To conduct this study, the researchers have collected data from non-professional and professional drivers of the Mardan region. The drivers were interviewed, and based on their responses; they were divided into professional and non-professional drivers. The study's main objective is to shed light on how professional and nonprofessional drivers interpret traffic signs that they come into close contact with. The researchers came to the conclusion that professional drivers' interpretations differ from those of non-professional drivers. The study also discovered that drivers mostly depend on their driving experience for comprehension rather than their educational background.

The Impact of In-Vehicle Traffic Lights on Driving Characteristics in the Presence of Obstructed Line-of-Sight

In-vehicle traffic lights (IVTLs) have been identified as a potential means of eco-driving. However, the extent to which they influence driving characteristics in the event of obstructed on-road traffic lights (ORTLs) has yet to be fully examined. Firstly, the situation of partially deployed IVTLs in both vehicles was analyzed to identify the factors that affect driving characteristics. Through the following distance model, relative vehicle speed, acceleration and deceleration, and following distance were recognized as the contributing factors. The evaluation indicators for driving characteristics were thereby further established. Then, a hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform was built using PreScan 8.5-MATLAB/Simulink R2018b joint simulation software and a Logitech G29 device. IVTLs were implemented using modules in the joint simulation software. Finally, under the scenarios of obstructed ORTLs and various deployment conditions of IVTLs, the original data were collected from 50 experimental subjects with simulated driving. The subjects included 25 males and 25 females, all of whom were non-professional drivers, with ages ranging from 20 to 40 years old. The conclusion was reached that IVTLs could improve driving comfort by approximately 10% in sunny weather (p = 0.008 &lt; 0.05, p = 0.023 &lt; 0.05; p = 0.046 &lt; 0.05, p = 0.001 &lt; 0.05), driving maneuverability by approximately 30% in foggy weather (p = 0.033 &lt; 0.05), and driving safety by approximately 50% in the ORTLs obstructed by a truck scenario (p = 0.019 &lt; 0.05). In general, even if only one vehicle was equipped with IVTLs, certain gain effects on the driving characteristics of both vehicles could still be provided.

Improving drivers’ merging performance in work zone using an in-vehicle audio warning

Work zone poses a great impact on traffic safety, and one of the important reasons is the increased merging behavior caused by lane closure. This study focuses on drivers’ lane-merging process in work zones, considering both individual driving behaviors and interaction risks with surrounding vehicles. An intelligent in-vehicle audio warning was proposed to improve the merging behaviors, and its efficacy was tested in a driving simulator experiment. Forty-two participants comprising 22 males (12 professional drivers vs. 10 non-professional drivers) and 20 females (10 professional drivers vs. 10 non-professional drivers) took part in the study. Five traffic density levels and five different locations to release the audio warning were set to collect the behavioral and trajectory data. The results showed the audio warning could reduce the merging risks evidently. However, its effectiveness was affected when the warning information was released too late. A high traffic density was associated with poor driver behavior and high merging risks. Male drivers were more likely to have interaction risks with the lead vehicles than female drivers. Professional drivers had more stable vehicle operating and lower merging risks during lane-merging than non-professional drivers. The research shed some lights on work-zone planning and management strategies.

Reluctance of taxi drivers to use seat belts. Observed and self-reported behavior in Argentine.

Although taxi drivers are more exposed to traffic crashes, they usually exhibit riskier behaviors and more negative attitudes toward road safety. For example, previous research suggests that they are particularly reluctant to wear seat belts. The research aimed (a) to estimate the prevalence of seat belt use among taxi drivers compared to other professional and non-professional drivers (Study 1, n = 3.810) and (b) to explore attitudes toward seat belt use in taxi drivers using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (Study 2, n = 100). Study 1 showed lower seat belt use among taxi drivers (vs. other professional and non-professional drivers). Study 2 showed that self-reported use tends to be higher than the estimated observed use and that negative experiential attitudes appear to be essential for understanding the reluctance of taxi drivers to use seat belts. Practical implications and future lines of research are discussed.

The factors impacting the use of navigation systems: A study based on the technology acceptance model

Navigation systems are important in daily driving situations. The user experience of using navigation systems can influence drivers’ attitudes towards them and their intentions to use them. The objective of this paper was to identify the mechanisms underlying the use of navigation systems and analyse the psychological factors that influence drivers’ use of navigation systems. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used to explore the factors impacting navigation system usage, and related factors such as trust and professional driver status were also considered. Using data collected from 372 drivers in China, the study demonstrated that two dimensions of the TAM, perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU), as well as trust, were positively related to the intention to use navigation systems. Meanwhile, these positive associations were mediated by drivers’ attitudes towards navigation systems. Furthermore, professional drivers showed different trends from nonprofessional drivers in terms of the path from PEOU and trust to positive attitudes.

Abstract C019: Evaluation of genes for glutathione-S-transferase genetic polymorphism in drivers exposed to air pollution

Abstract Air pollution and its possible impact on human health is attracting growing interest around the world. It remains a serious threat of premature death. Multiple source of pollution are present in the outdoor and indoor air such as exhaust gases, industry, pesticides, gasoline, fuels, incense, air fresheners, insecticides, smoke, cosmetics and maintenance products…. These sources emited pollutants such as PM, CO, NO, VOC, PAH, O3 which are responsible for headaches, dizziness, eye irritation, hepatitis, respiratory and cardiac diseases and cancers (breast, blood, cervix, prostate…). These pathologies are due to the homozygous deletion of the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes. GST protects the body against toxicants by neutralizing electrophiles and makes toxic metabolites more soluble. Objective: To evaluate the genes of the glutathione-S-transferase genetic polymorphism GSTM1 and GSTT1 in pollutant-exposed motorcycle drivers. Materials &amp; methods The study group is made up of 60 motorcycle drivers, including 30 professionals and 30 non-professionals. Blood samples are taken into the EDTA tube and DNA was extracted by the phenol/chloroform method. PCR was chosen to determine the presence or absence of GSTM1 and GSTT1. Results Our results showed that the percentage of GSTM1 null genotype was a significant difference (P=0.02), while the percentage of GSTT1 null genotype was not significant (P=0.76) between the two groups. The deletion of both genes is greater in professional than non-professional drivers. Conclusion In sum, air pollution in Cotonou appears to influence GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene suppression at a higher percentage in professional motorcycle drivers. This population could be predisposed to develop cancers. We recommend the consumption of fruits, organic vegetables and plants rich in antioxidants to strengthen the immune system. Citation Format: Firmin Houénoukpo Sagbo, Mènonvè Atindehou, Boris Cachon. Evaluation of genes for glutathione-S-transferase genetic polymorphism in drivers exposed to air pollution [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr C019.

Sensation seeking predicts risky driving behavior: The mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation.

The purpose of this study was to explore the mediating effect of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between sensation seeking and driving behavior based on the dual-process model of aberrant driving behavior. A sample of 299 drivers in China completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Driver Behavior Questionnaire, and the Sensation Seeking Scale V (SSS). The relationships among sensation seeking, difficulties in emotion regulation, and driving behavior were investigated using pathway analysis. The results showed that (1) disinhibition and boredom susceptibility are positively and significantly related to difficulties in emotion regulation and risky driving behaviors; (2) difficulties in emotion regulation are positively and significantly associated with risky driving behaviors; (3) difficulties in emotion regulation mediate the effect of sensation seeking on driving behaviors, supporting the dual-process model of driving behavior; and (4) professional drivers score higher in terms of difficulties in emotion regulation and risky driving behaviors than nonprofessional drivers. The findings of this study could provide valuable insights into the selection of suitable drivers and the development of certain programs that benefit road safety.

Recognition of typical driving stressors and driver stress level in a Chinese sample

Drivers are adversely affected in decision-making and behavior under excessive stress, thus increasing road crash risks. In this study, the Driver Stress Inventory (DSI) was used to identify typical driving stress scenarios and explore the characteristics of drivers among different stress levels. A total of 1881 drivers took part in the survey. The Precedence Chart was used to rank the importance of driving stressors involved in the scale. K-means cluster was adopted to classify drivers’ stress into three levels, namely low, medium and high-stress. Finally, the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mantel-Haenszel test were employed to analyze the similarities and differences of demographic statistical characteristics under different stress levels. The results of the study indicate that various unexpected scenarios caused by the abnormal behavior of other road users are the most typical stressors. Drivers in the high-stress group tended to be younger and less experienced. Professional drivers reported higher stress than nonprofessional drivers. In addition, high-stress drivers were more prone to be involved in traffic crashes.

Influence of in-Vehicle Audio Warning on Drivers' Eye-Movement and Behavior at Flashing Light-Controlled Grade Crossings.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of in-vehicle audio warning at flashing-light-controlled grade crossings based on driving simulation and eye-tracking systems. Collisions at flashing-light-controlled grade crossings have severe consequences. In-vehicle audio warning has the potential to regulate driver behavior. However, whether this improvement occurs through priming drivers' visual search patterns is not yet clear. Drivers' visual activity and behaviors were recorded. The effect of a warning was tested with a series of flashing light trigger times (FLTTs) ranging from 2s to 6s with a 1s increment. Different driving conditions (i.e., clear and fog) and driver experience were considered in the experiment design. Warnings could guide the allocation of both overt and covert attention, as well as raise drivers' situation awareness, manifesting as the enhanced perception of signs and better understanding of the flashing red light. Significant improvement in the stop-compliance rate was found in warning scenarios, particularly with a late FLTT. The decreased saccade duration and increased fixation duration on the signal implied a dilemma-zone effect when the FLTT was lower than 4s. Furthermore, reduced fixation duration on signs and signals was found in foggy conditions. Non-professional drivers had a wider search range than their counterparts. In-vehicle audio warning is an effective countermeasure for improving crossing safety by optimizing visual search strategy. In-vehicle audio warnings warrant promotion at grade crossings based on the driver assistance system.

Distracted driving in relation to risky road behaviors and traffic crashes in Bogota, Colombia

The growing evidence on road distraction during the recent years has shown how road distractions might be playing a relevant role on traffic crash causation. However, the empirical insights about how it works in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are really limited so far. The case of Colombian non-professional drivers remains virtually unexplored on this regard. This research aims to assess the effect of road distractions, driving-related issues and road behaviors on the self-reported crashes suffered by drivers in Bogotá, Colombia. To do so, a sample of 659 drivers (64% males and 36% females) with a mean age of 37.9 years (SD = 11.7) was gathered, who answered an online survey on road distractions, behaviors and self-reported crash history. Most of the distracting sources reported were found to be rather common among most of the drivers, even though only a few gender differences were found. Structural Equation Models show that there is a significant effect of road distractions on drivers’ self-reported crash rates and that young adults are more prone to incur in these behaviors as a consequence thereof. These findings support the design of safety interventions that focus on mitigating the risk of being distracted. In the same vein, authorities should increase the efforts to enforce ICT-related laws while driving, thus contributing to reduce the prevalence and impact of distracting sources while driving.

Incidence and Risk of Fatal Vehicle Crashes Among Professional Drivers: A Population-Based Study in Taiwan.

Fatal vehicle crashes (FVCs) are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Professional drivers often drive under dangerous conditions; however, knowledge of the risk factors for FVCs among professional drivers remain scant. We investigated whether professional drivers have a higher risk of FVCs than non-professional drivers and sought to clarify potential risk factors for FVCs among professional drivers. We analyzed nationwide incidence rates of FVCs as preliminary data. Furthermore, by using these data, we created a 1:4 professionals/non-professionals preliminary study to compare with the risk factors between professional and non-professional drivers. In Taiwan, the average crude incidence rate of FVCs for 2003–2016 among professional drivers was 1.09 per 1,000 person-years; professional drivers had a higher percentage of FVCs than non-professional drivers among all motor vehicle crashes. In the 14-year preliminary study with frequency-matched non-professional drivers, the risk of FVCs among professional drivers was significantly associated with a previous history of involvement in motor vehicle crashes (adjustment odds ratio [OR] = 2.157; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.896–2.453), previous history of benzodiazepine use (adjustment OR = 1.385; 95% CI, 1.215–1.579), and speeding (adjustment OR = 1.009; 95% CI, 1.006–1.013). The findings have value to policymakers seeking to curtail FVCs.

Effects of partial sleep deprivation: A comparative assessment of young non-professional and professional taxi drivers

AimThis study aims to determine the effects of partial sleep deprivation (PSD) on driving performance of professional and young non-professional drivers. MethodsThe study included fifty participants (20 professional taxi drivers and 30 young non-professional drivers) driving the simulator-cab in three conditions. The first test session (TS1) was conducted after one night of PSD followed by the second test (TS2) after two consecutive nights of PSD. The driving performance metrics in two conditions of PSD (i.e., sleep duration = 4.25 ± 0.5 h) were compared with the baseline drive with no sleep loss. Sleep restriction was monitored using Actiwatch. Drivers subjectively self-reported their alertness using Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). Driving performance metrics and reaction time to emergency events were collected during each drive. ResultsA preliminary mixed-design ANOVA showed deterioration in driving performance of all drivers in terms of speed (p < 0.1), speed variability (p = 0.06), standard deviation in lateral positions (SDLP) (p < 0.001) and delayed reaction time (p < 0.05). Separate Mixed-Effects Generalized Linear Models for professional and non-professional drivers showed that speed variability, SDLP and reaction time increased from baseline during both the PSD tests, among both the driving groups. The speed variability, SDLP and reaction time of professional drivers differed significantly from other drivers under PSD conditions. Contrary to the existing belief, the professional drivers had significant decrements in driving performance due to PSD. ConclusionA critical and comparative analysis revealed that driving experience/skill of professional drivers does not improve their resistance to deteriorating effects of sleep loss.