Investigating Improper Lane Changes: Driver Performance Contributing to Lane Change Near-Crashes

Abstract

We investigated the contributing factors that led to the lane change near-crashes recorded in the 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study using a case-crossover experimental design. Drivers’ visual behavior and vehicle control were compared across a sample of lane change near-crashes and matched baselines. Baseline lane changes were sampled if they occurred prior to the near-crash, had a similar maneuver as the near-crash (including direction and speed), occurred within ± 2 hours from the time of day, occurred in similar light conditions, occurred on a similar day of the week (weekday vs. weekend), occurred on a road that had a similar number of lanes, had a similar placement of surrounding vehicles, and were made by the same driver. A total of 18 lane change near-crashes and 33 baseline lane changes were identified. Left lane change near-crashes appear to have resulted in part because drivers tended to slow down at the start of the maneuver and were less likely to use their rearview mirror. Right lane change near-crashes appeared to have occurred because of more aggressive maneuvering, infrequent turn signal use, and because drivers were less likely to look over their shoulder. Deficiencies in judging the distance and approach rate to adjacent vehicles, as well as circumstances in the environment, may also have played a contributing role.