Citation

Antia KH. Highw. Res. News 1969; (37): 51-61.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1969, National Research Council, Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A systems analysis of safe automobile driving performance reveals that it consists of three components: The driver, the vehicle, and the highway. The fundamental controlling factor is the operator of the vehicle. The background information and physical examinations comprising the human factors part of the driver licensing procedures are discussed. Personality variables are investigated by driver attitude surveys and personality and attitude surveys that distinguish between varying categories of drivers. High-accident subjects may well be psychologically more complex than the no-accident subjects, less conventional and less in harmony with their environment. Another variable that could be used as a predictor is previous driving records. Age, sex, and medical factors are variables of driver performance. A major variable studied is the effects of alcohol. Since almost every driving decision is based on vision, vision will become even more vital as highways improve and vehicles gain in horsepower. The importance of various physical examinations for the initial driver license application or the need to review these requirements in terms of research findings cannot be minimized. No one biographical or personality variable or combination of any of these variables is found to predict driving performance to a significant extent. Emphasis should be on detecting those with any shortcomings or deficiencies and improving their driving performance by removing these. Suggested remedies are discussed.

Language: en