Alcohol effects on driver performance under conditions of divided attention

Abstract

Laboratory studies have indicated that deleterious effects of alcohol on human performance are most evident when an individual is required to monitor sensory input relevant to the concurrent performance of two activities. Consequently, data collected during an in-depth study of metropolitan road accidents were examined to determine to what extent the accidents of intoxicated drivers were characterized by the driver's attention, prior to the accident, being directed to some source of information input secondary to the driving task. These data indicated that intoxicated drivers were more likely than others to have been engaged in some pre-accident activity that was secondary to the driving task. A number of mechanisms that may underlie the apparent interactive effects of alcohol and secondary activity on driving were outlined for future experimental consideration.