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: Optometry & Vision Science

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Author Information
Understanding Driving: Applying Cognitive Psychology to a
Complex Everyday Task. John A. Groeger. Philadelphia, PA:
Psychology Press, 2000. ISBN 0-415-187 52-4.
Melvin D. Shipp, School of Optometry , University of Alabama
at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
Are you looking for a well-written, comprehensive text on the
sensory and motor aspects of driving? Would you like a book that
links human factors research and driving performance? If the
answer to either, or both, of these questions is yes, you should
add Understanding Driving: Applying Cognitive Psychology to a
Complex Everyday Task to your professional library.
Although currently ubiquitous, driving is a recent phenomenon
progressing from fad status to a commonplace and essential daily
activity in <100 years. However, this evolution has not been
without peril. Traffic-crash fatalities are among the 10 leading
causes of death in most industrialized countries. And, despite
technological advancesseatbelt usage, speed limits, improved
signage, etc.traffic-crash related mortality and morbidity
continue as significant public health challenges.
The demographic characteristics of drivers are changing: drivers
are aging, and the gap between the proportion of male and female
drivers is decreasing. These changes will influence the nature of
traffic-crash risks for all drivers. Although recent crash trends
suggest an overall decline in U.S. traffic fatalities, as a group, older
American drivers are experiencing higher crash-fatality rates
than in the past. Importantly, the number of older American
drivers is increasing.
In this book, John A. Groeger assumes the daunting task of
integrating theoretical and applied aspects of driving. He
accomplishes this in a commendable fashion, using a mix of
humor, anecdotes, historical information, and a comprehensive
synthesis of the literature. He offers compelling evidence to
support his contention that crash risks will increase over the next
10 to 20 years, primarily because of increased numbers of older
drivers, despite projected increases in public transportation.
The book begins with a discussion of the role of vision and driving.
Various aspects of vision functionvisual acuity, contrast
sensitivity, color vision, and depth perceptionare related to
motion, speed, and estimation of time to collision. Importantly,
the author discusses these aspects of vision function in the
context of both age-related changes and gender.
In subsequent chapters, nonvisual aspects of driving performance
are discussed and contrasted. The chapters on perceptual-motor
responses/skills, attention, automaticity, and distraction are
particularly interesting, especially in light of recent debates on
the dangers of cell phone use while driving.
In support of the notion of increased future traffic-crash risk,
Groeger describes the impact of neuropsychological deficits
associated with aging and disease on driving performance. He also
provides a comprehensive discussion of role of memory, hazard
perception and assessment, and reaction time on safe driving.
Importantly, two chapters are devoted to a review of current
perspective on the potential for enhancing driving performance
through instruction/training, and by increasing self-efficacy.
The last chapter is of particular interest to researchers, and those
interested in the integration of the sensory-motor and cognitive
aspects of driving. Groegers discussion of a four-faceted
framework (r
2
= 0.47 ) is particularly enlightening and is a useful
theoretical model for future study of driving performance.
Groeger concludes by challenging his psychology colleagues to
be more than bit-players in the pursuit of a comprehensive
theoretical model that explains and predicts driver behavior. This
challenge is also appropriate for vision scientists, health policy
researchers, and others interested in addressing this public health
conundrum.
Groeger has produced a concise and informative text. Except for a
couple of confusing graphical illustrations, overall, this book is
very user-friendly. It is well referenced with an extensive list of
both contemporary and historical citations. This book should
interest practicing clinicians, applied and basic scientists, and
policy makers alike.
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Optometry & Vision Science:
November 2001 - Volume 78 - Issue 11 - p 782
Book Reviews
Understanding Driving: Applying Cognitive Psychology to a Complex Everyday Task
Shipp, Melvin D.
School of Optometry , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama
2001 American Academy of Optometry