I. Driver Categories

A. Ten groups representing stages of information processing and productivity that takes place while driving.

1. Knowledge= cognitive/ memory

2. Attention= cognitive/perceptual

3. Detection= sensory/pre-attentional

4. Perception= sensory/cognitive

5. Evaluation= cognitive/affective

6. Decision= cognitive/affective

7. Motor Skill= perceptual-motor

8. Imagination= cognitive

9. Motivation= affective/social

10. Responsibility= cognitive/affective/cultural

a. Example: drivers education

B. Theory of reasoned action: suggesting that the decision to engage in a particular behavior is the result of a rational process in which behavioral options are considered, consequences or outcomes of each are evaluated, and a decision is reached to act or not to act.

C. Education: Awareness among all ages, races and class that driving is a skill that needs to be performed effectively.

II. How Important is Driving Skill?

A. Performance capability and behavior= driving skills and what skills the driver decides to utilize.

1. Example: driving on a slippery road

B. Disease-prone Personality= a personality characterized by negative emotional reactions to stress, ineffective coping strategies, and unhealthy behavior patterns.

1. Among the correlates are a higher incidence of illness and a shorter lifespan.

2. Pessimistic Outlook on Risk-Taking Behavior

C. Education: Better use of current knowledge and faster, more efficient creation of new knowledge is the key to progress.

III. Driver Skill and Preparation in the Future

A. Intelligent Vehicle and Highway Systems= developments due to technology, training and testing.

1. Driver education on CD-ROM

2. Satellite-based (GPS) navigation systems

3. Multimedia entertainment systems

4. On-board video game units

5. On-board e-mail and Internet connectivity

6. Integrated, centralized control for driver inputs (touch screens)

7. Shopping, reservations, banking, bill-paying

8. Infared night vision enhancement

9. cruise control, collision warning systems, keyless entry

10. Crash reporting “black box” systems

B. Information overload= instances in which our ability to process information is exceeded.

C. Education= Expert training and testing driving skill while using new technological systems.

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http://www.cnet.com/4520-7335_1-102355-1.html

http://www.freep.com/money/tech/mwend30_20010730.htm