Car collision warnings are studied
British scientists have found the best combination of collision avoidance warnings to overcome distractions, such as the playing of a radio or loud music.
Oxford University experimental psychologists analyzed how car manufacturers who are increasingly offering such devices can use multi-sensory signals to better warn drivers of an impending collision.
Researchers led by Professor Charles Spence and Cristy Ho of the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at Oxford -- along with Nick Reed of the Transport Research Laboratory -- sought to identify the optimal warning signal to capture a driver's attention.
A recent survey suggested two-thirds of British drivers listen to music or the radio while driving, with young drivers listening at volumes up to 130 decibels -- close to the level at which hearing is damaged.
The researchers considered three kinds of warning signals: a car horn, a vibration of the driver's seat-belt and the simultaneous presentation of both auditory and tactile cues.
The study found multi-sensory warnings consisting of the horn and the simultaneous vibration of the seatbelt, captured driver attention best.
The research is reported in the journal Human Factors. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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