| Purpose. This study examined the development of hazard perception in novice teenage drivers in the first six months of driving and compared their performance with experienced drivers. Method. Sixteen novice (mean age = 16.2) and fifteen experienced (mean age = 32.9) drivers were exposed to driving hazards over the course of six monthly sessions while driving in the UCDS. Common hazardous events involving a late yellow light and a lead vehicle braking unexpectedly were encountered in each session. A rare hazardous event of a deer incursion was encountered in the final session. Results. Differences between novice and experienced drivers in acceleration profiles, horizontal gaze variability and clearing the intersection in the yellow light event were detected. Novices were also slower to perceive and respond to the deer incursion. Discussion. Changes across sessions and differences between novice and experienced drivers are discussed for common and rare driving events. |
