AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST OF THE ABILITY TO REMAIN ALERT IN MONOTONOUS CONDITIONS: VALIDITY CHECK BY MEANS OF A STANDARD INTERVIEW

The quantitative prediction of the hazards of traffic accidents under the influence of psychotropic drugs is investigated. Ninety young and rather inexperienced professional drivers were subjected to both a psychomotor vigilance test, simulating monotonous conditions, and a standard interview about specific symptoms of a tendency to vigilance failures. Performance in the laboratory test related to individually different tendencies to vigilance failure is reflected in the behavior of the subjects in characteristic life situations (assessed on the basis of their statements). A significant correlation is found between the percentage of missed signals and the number of symptoms given by the subjects in the interview. From the symptoms of the tendency to vigilance failures, near-accidents due to this tendency are selected as being the most serious symptom. Near-accidents due to drowsiness are situations in which no accident occurs but the car slides to the right edge of the road or into the oncoming lane. The results of the tests and interviews show the applicability of the test as a model of monotonous situations arising in natural conditions. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract from Highway Safety Literature, November 30, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  Czechoslovak Medical Press

  Malostranske Nam 28
  Prague, ZZ Czechoslovakia   
• Authors:
  • Kopriva, K
  • Frantik, E
  • Horvalth, M
• Publication Date: 1974-5

Language

• Czech

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 117-119
• Serial:
  • Activitas Nervosa Superior
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Czechoslovak Medical Press

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alertness; Interviewing; Motor skills; Near crashes; Near midair crashes; Psychotropic agents; Traffic crashes; Vigilance
• Uncontrolled Terms: Monotony; Psychomotor performance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00141971
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 17 1977 12:00AM