Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a simple and brief hazard perception training intervention tailored to meet the needs of male drivers with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptoms.
Methods: Twenty male drivers with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptoms were quasi-randomly assigned to either a hazard perception training package (trained group) or a control intervention video (untrained group), presented in an office setting. Video-based hazard perception tests involving real-life driving scenes were conducted both before and after the interventions.
Results: The hazard perception response times of the trained group significantly improved compared with the untrained group, t (18) = 3.21, p < 0.005.
Conclusions: Significant improvements in hazard perception response times in male drivers with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptoms were found following the training intervention. This indicates that such training has potential for inclusion in a management plan for reducing the crash rates of this high risk group of drivers. The training is practical, quick, and affordable, and has the potential to translate into real-world driving outcomes.
Acknowledgements
The authors sincerely thank the participants who volunteered for this study. Funding support from the Occupational Therapy Board of Queensland is gratefully acknowledged. Advice from Professor Geoffrey Mitchell, Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, The University of Queensland, in relation to clinical considerations of ADHD, was deeply valued. The hazard perception training materials and instructions for hazard perception tests were funded by Queensland Transport. We would like to thank John Burrill and his team for their collaborative input. Filming of some driving clips was partly funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant LP0668078. Special thanks to Chris Hatherly, Ben Evans, Georgina Parker, Johann Eloff, Thomas Wallis, and Shelby Marrington for their help in conducting the filming.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.