Elderly and young drivers' reaction to an in-car enforcement and tutoring system

A system that contrasts driver behaviour with normative behaviour was teste d in an advanced driving simulator. Drivers were provided with auditory and visual tutoring messages if deviations were detected from normative, i.e. legally allowed behaviour with respect to a selection of offences. Results showed that the system was very effective in increasing law-abiding behavio ur, which has a major positive effect on traffic safety. However, driver me ntal effort, as indicated by self-reports and drivers' physiological states , was slightly increased in conditions where drivers received feedback. Opi nion about the tutoring system was positive in terms of usefulness. Self-re ports on satisfaction differed between age groups; young drivers rated it l ow, while elderly drivers held a positive attitude. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd. All rights reserved.