How Do Cognitive Interventions Impact Driver Aggressiveness in China?—A Driving Simulator Study

Abstract

Aggressive driving behavior is one of the main reasons for traffic crashes in China. However, how cognitive interventions affect impulsive driving behavior is still unknown. In this study, a simulated drive was constructed to evaluate the influence of different cognitive interventions. In addition to speeding behavior in limit zones, speed when passing pedestrians, at intersections, and on the whole drive was adopted as a measure to evaluate aggressive driving behaviors. Forty-eight young drivers were recruited with monetary rewards. Compared to the control group, the penalty feedback intervention significantly reduced the mean speed in the 40 km/h zone, the 80 km/h zone, and when passing pedestrians. The combined feedback intervention significantly reduced the distance ratio of speeding in the 40 km/h and 80 km/h zones, as well as the mean speed at the intersection and on the whole drive. However, the interaction effects between the driving task and intervention method were not remarkably observed during aggressive driving behaviors. The findings from this study provide evidence that different cognitive interventions contribute distinctively to improving aggressive driving behaviors. These conclusive results have possible implications for the design of vehicle warning systems and traffic safety interventions.