Divided-attention task on driving simulator: comparison among three groups of drivers

Introduction: Driving is a complex and dynamic task that requires performing simultaneously several sub-tasks, as traffic management and vehicle control. Driving involves both automatic and controlled processing depending on situation met and drivers’ experience. Method: Three groups of drivers with different driving experience were submitted to a divided-attention task in order to assess the interference linked to a secondary task on driving behaviour. The main task was a carfollowing task and the secondary task was a number identification task which could appear on central or peripheral vision. Results and discussion: Results showed that driving performances increase with experience. Indeed, novice drivers, compared to more experienced drivers, took more time to brake and had more difficulties to maintain a stable position in the lane. This task allowed to differentiate driving behaviour depending on experience and could be used in training of novice drivers.