What Was Done in the Past?

In the distant past, various tests looking at multi-tasking attempted to predict driving abilities based on subject performance while being submitted to auditory (hearing) attention tasks. Driving, however, requires mainly the processing of visual information. For this reason, any test that measures mental driving abilities must emphasise the processing of visual information.

Computers and Abilities Measurement

In the search for various predictors of driving capabilities, it was found that information processing abilities are those that best predict involvement in collisions. As part of the transition to working with personal computers, attempts were made to test these capabilities using computers. This was viewed as progress in the measurement of the relationship between mental abilities and the driving task, for it took advantage of the computer's accuracy, processing speed, and simplicity of use. User responses are recorded in an efficient and systematic manner and fine distinctions may easily be made between the performances of different users. Other measuring tools known to science are bulky, hard to use and not terribly accurate compared with the personal computer.

What Has Been Found So Far?

In laboratory experiments, a relationship was found between performance on computer tasks and involvement in collisions. This relationship proves that perceptual and cognitive abilities are used in driving. The computer is an efficient tool for bridging between the thinking world of the driver, and his/her actual driving performance.

Based on:
Arthur, W., Stronger, M.H., Williamson J. (Texas A&M University) (1994). Validation of a visual attention test as a predictor of driving accident involvement. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Vol. 67, pp. 173 - 182.