Citation

International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine. J. Traffic Med. 1983; 11(3): 46-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of the survey carried out at the University of Bremen (FRG) was to determine the maximum resistance to fatigue and suggest a programme of rest periods. Because of the obvious risks involved in field experiments, the desired results were obtained on a simulater in the laboratory and a distinction is drawn between physical and psychological fatigue. Four different levels of fatigue are identified using mental calculation to give an insight into the subjects' concentration capabilities. This method was used to determine the load a driver can tolerate before his actions become dangerous. It was observed that a rest was imperative after reaching two-thirds of maximum resistance to prevent the onslaught of exhaustion. The pause, acting as a recovery period, postpones exhaustion, increasing the maximum resistance; this increase was almost directly proportioned to the duration of the rest period. A general rule applying to about 80 per cent of drivers suggests that after driving for two or three hours in relatively normal conditions, a pause of about half an hour is required. (TRRL)

Language: en

Keywords

Driver; Drivers; Driving; Driving (veh); Stress (Psychology); Simulation; Risk taking; Psychological aspects; Physical condition; Attention; Test; Tests; Psychology; Fatigue (human); Fatigue (Physiological condition); Physiology; Rest periods; Stress (psychol)