Citation

Lemercier C, Cellier JM. Trav. Hum. 2008; 71(3): 271.

Vernacular Title

Les défauts de l'attention en conduite automobile : inattention, distraction et interférence

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Presse Universitaires de France)

DOI

10.3917/th.713.0271

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Studies of attention deficits in car driving invariably give driver distraction as the cause. In fact, distraction is a catch-all concept. It can define the attentional disruption linked to individual driver features (e.g.?age, emotional state, expertise), or a change in driving behaviour caused by the sudden occurrence of other events in the driving environment (e.g.?telephone ringing, lights flashing). It may also be the consequence of electronic systems used in driving (e.g.?phone conversations, route searching on a GPS system). The aim of this current literature review is to summarise the major studies of attention deficits in car driving. This is achieved by categorising the different types of attention deficits which lead to changed driving behaviour?: distraction, interference and inattention. In the first part of this paper, we present definitions of distraction, interference and inattention in selective and divided attention. In the second part of the paper, we describe the three major hypotheses of attention deficits in driving. The first assumption to be developed concerns mental workload. In accordance with studies of divided attention, the authors consider that adding further tasks to driving would increase a driver's mental workload. Such an increase would lead to impaired driving behaviour. The two main methodologies used to investigate mental workload in driving were the Peripheral Detection Test (PDT) and the divided attention protocol. After providing an overview of each of these methods, we present the results of studies in which they are used. The second assumption described in this paper concerns the lack of attentional control. From this perspective, a driver's difficulties would be caused by a modification in his attentional focusing. In other words, while the driver has his eyes fixed on the road, his attention would also be focused on other tasks, such as carrying out a telephone conversation. The inattentional blindness protocol is presented in support of this hypothesis. Finally, the assumption of a deficit of perceptive control, though more anecdotal, considers that a driver's ocular moves when using electronic systems would lead to a deterioration in the visual monitoring of the driving scene. This final assumption is evaluated using a traditional occlusion protocol.



Keywords: Driver distraction;

Language: fr

Vernacular Abstract

L'une des causes principales des accidents de la route recensés serait liée à un trouble de l'attention du conducteur (Hendricks, Fell, & Freedman, 1999 ; Lee & Strayer, 2004). Le conducteur serait distrait ou subirait l'interférence d'autres tâches ou encore, plongé dans ses pensées, serait inattentif à la scène routière. On recense actuellement environ 500 références d'articles traitant de l'attention en conduite automobile ; notre synthèse ne présentera que les travaux majeurs de ce domaine, et tentera d'en faire une analyse critique. Si ce problème est considéré comme prégnant dans les dégradations de la conduite automobile, les phénomènes explicatifs de ces détériorations du comportement du conducteur sont multiples (Sheridan, 2004). Notre objectif premier sera donc de définir les différents types d'attention recensés dans la littérature et de mettre en perspective les perturbations qui leur sont attachées. À partir de là, nous dégagerons les hypothèses explicatives de la détérioration de l'activité de conduite.

Notre volonté est d'engager un dialogue entre différentes perspectives théoriques sur l'attention. Perspectives se différenciant par l'analyse de tâches élémentaires en laboratoire ou par celle de tâches plus complexes en situation écologique. Nous pensons qu'un enrichissement du concept d'attention découlera de cette confrontation.