This paper reviews selected results from past driving simulator studies. The driving tasks include steering regulation against wind/road disturbances, speed control on curves, and decision making in a signal light situation. A common alcohol impairment mechanism is found in each of these situations, namely increased driver variability. The driver's risk exposure also increases with alcohol impairment and is extremely sensitive to performance variability changes. It is hypothesized that drivers are not generally aware of risk exposure, even under alcohol-impaired conditions. Countermeasure approaches to driver impairment are also discussed.
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