REACTION PAPER
Article: The effects of focused attention training (FOCAL) on the duration of novice drivers'
glances inside the vehicle
Pradhan AK1, Divekar G, Masserang K, Romoser M, Zafian T, Blomberg RD, Thomas FD, Reagan I, Knodler
M, Pollatsek A, Fisher DL.
Several studies show that glance away from the roadway for long amount of time
(even if 2 seconds seem it too short) can cause of many crashes. When we look at the other
studies, we can say that novice drivers are more likely to glance away from the road than
experienced drivers for when they do a task inside the vehicle. The failure to keep attention to
the driving task has long been recognized as a major contributor to automobile crashes (Wang
et al., 1996). According to some estimates about why crashes made of, secondary task
distractions contributed over %22 of all crashes. Increased popularity to use of cell phones
and the other technological stuffs (navigator etc.) may lead to crashes which resultant of
secondary distractor tasks. Distraction is a key point for crashes especially in novice drivers.
Studies shows that novice and young drivers more intend to be distracted than experienced
drivers. Because of these findings this study designed for novice drivers.
This reaction paper will be composed of critical of an article, and this article analyze
the efficacy of PC-based training program (FOCAL) teach to novice drivers possible
outcomes of glance behaviors. Purposes of FOCAL to establish a baseline for
a user's attention maintenance behavior, to use that information as a teaching tool
regarding the particular user's behavior, and then to train the user in better driving-related
attention maintenance techniques. Novice drivers separate into 2 groups, these were placebo
training group and FOCAL training group. When we analyze of the study’s result, FOCAL-
trained group made significantly fewer glances away from the roadway that were more than 2
seconds than the placebo-trained group.
In this study, participant’s ages were adjusted between 16-17. This situation may be
lead to making low generalizability of the work. After the training program, maintaining of
error learning behaviors may be problematic for novice drivers which are in 16-17 ages,
because these young and novice drivers more intended to make mistakes than experienced
drivers and adults. Maintaining of error learning behaviors are seems like a controversial
topic.
The number of participants (37) may be a problematic situation for reliability and
generalizability of the study. This study was completed with student which studied at a high
school in New Jersey. So, they probably have very similar background, where they live and
we also know that they in the same ages. Selecting participants from very similar areas may
lead to low generalizability. Increase the number of participants from different areas may
increase the reliability of the study.
The vehicles were each outfitted with dual foot pedal brakes that were controlled by
the driving instructor. Also, top speed was selected 17 mph. This safety steps were very
critical point for keeping driver’s and instructor’s safety.
The study began with single blind procedure. According this procedure, participants
do not know their condition (they were not informed about they are in placebo group or
FOCAL training group). If they know their condition, study may be affected from participants
bias. Having almost same age means either in placebo or Focal training groups decrease the
confounding variable.
Decreasing glance behavior in 3. and 4. Module at FOCAL training, shows us to
training efficacy was effective on decreasing glance behavior. But, I wonder that can they
apply this behavior to their driving behaviors in general.
Participant’s training program that is restricted driving with maximum 17 mph and
making better glance (2 second) may be lead to misunderstanding for novice drivers. They
may have thought there is no any risk in driving with glances in 2 second and 17mhp
situations. They may experience exaggerated self-confidence about driving with these
situations. They can try to complete more complex tasks in their actual driving moments, to
prevent this possible negative outcome, experimenters insistently mentioned that to novice
drivers; even 2 second glance behaviors can be lead to crashes.
Generalization of the study to experienced drivers is very difficult. We can say that
help with other studies; experienced drivers’ glance behavior (especially in-vehicle control
task) occurs more automatically than novice drivers. They can complete more complex and
high load tasks with little glances, but we cannot mentioned Focal training program’s
effectivity on experienced drivers. To give strengthen of this study, number of participant can
increase and age interval may be enhancing.
CEMRE BABAYİĞİT
23.11.2017