Factors that compromise driver boredom and their relationships to preferred driving speed and demographic variables

  1. Lookup NU author(s)
  2. Simon Heslop
  3. Dr Joan Harvey
  4. Dr Neil Thorpe
  5. Dr Corinne Mulley
Author(s)Heslop S, Harvey J, Thorpe N, Mulley C
Series Editor(s)Australian Key Centre in Transport Management
Publication type Report
Series TitleWorking Papers
Year2010
DateMay 2010
Pages13
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Driver boredom is an area of driver behaviour that has received limited attention. This study explores the factor structure underlying driver boredom and investigates age and gender differences in the experience of driver boredom and preferred driving speeds using a self-report questionnaire. A rotated principle components analysis of 49 attitude items yielded four dimensions: responses to under-stimulation, flow, lapse and error proneness and anxiety. Age and gender differences were found in these dimensions as well as in preferred driving speeds; two of the factors, responses to under-stimulation and flow were particularly related to preferred driving speeds on all but urban roads. These findings are considered in terms of cognitive capacity required for driving, self-reporting of cognitive failure and error-proneness and the implications for drivers maintaining safety margins when bored.
InstitutionUniversity of Sydney and Monash University
Place PublishedSydney, Australia
NotesISSN 1832-570X
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