Human Factors and Ergonomics Society News

Research: Why Talking on a Cell Phone While Driving Should be Banned

In their detailed analysis of dozens of empirical studies on the effects of talking while driving, human factors researchers have provided a comprehensive and credible basis for governments seeking to enact legislation restricting drivers’ use of cell phones. The analysis, …

Even Voice to Text Causes Driver Distraction

Drivers commonly perform secondary tasks while behind the wheel to navigate or communicate with others, which has led to a significant increase in the number of injuries and fatalities attributed to distracted driving. Advances in wearable technology, particularly devices such …

Secondary Tasks Delay Takeover Time in Automated Vehicles

Many recent human factors studies of takeover time in automated vehicles have looked at how long it takes a driver to switch out of automation mode, usually in critical situations. Alexander Eriksson and Neville Stanton at the University of Southampton, …

Researchers Develop New Framework for Measuring Distracted Driving

Past human factors/ergonomics studies have shown that some in-vehicle technologies intended to help with driving tasks are actually competing for drivers’ attention and undermining driving safety. Human factors/ergonomics studies over the past 10-plus years have examined a variety of distractors. …

Fatigued Drivers Recover Better With Caffeine Than With Music

Research has shown that drinking caffeinated beverages and listening to music are two popular fatigue-fighting measures that drivers take, but very few studies have tested the usefulness of those measures. New research to be presented at the HFES 2014 Annual …

Intelligent Warning Systems Lead to Safer ‘Dilemma Zone’ Decisions

Most drivers have experienced a traffic signal that turns yellow just as they approach an intersection, which makes it difficult for them to decide whether to stop or proceed through it. The wrong choice in this critical situation, known as …