EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON DRIVING PERFORMANCE: SEX DIFFERENCES

Comparison of the simulated driving performance of experienced male and female drivers at 3 blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 0.00 percent, 0.05 percent, and 0.10 percent revealed no statistically significant differences between BAC conditions for either group. While male and female groups did not differ in performance, gross individual differences in the performance of subjects within each group across BAC levels were characteristics of all of the performance measures recorded. Twelve male and 12 female volumteers operated a non-programmed point-light- source driving simulator (Sim-L-Car). The Sim-L-Car was extensively modified to permit the measurement of the position of the steering wheel, the position of the vehicle on the roadway, and speed of the vehicle at a rate of approximately 100 samples per minute. From these data, a battery of dependent variables was derived. A Stephenson model 900 Breathalyzer was used to determine the approximate BAC for each subject. The data analysis is detailed and the results are tabulated or graphically illustrated.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was sponsored by a grant from the Scientific Advisory Council to Licensed Beverage Industries, Incorporated.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of South Dakota, Vermillion

  Human Factors Laboratory
  Vermillion, SD  United States  57069
• Authors:
  • Ellingstad, V S
  • Struckman, D L
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohols; Driver performance; Drivers; Driving simulators; Drunk driving; Gender; Personnel performance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00144048
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Res. Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 22 1976 12:00AM