Mind wandering, when attention is internally engaged on task-unrelated thoughts, is potentially hazardous for driving. Understanding the factors that influence the frequency of mind wandering during driving is important, but remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of perceptual load on the rate and cost of mind wandering during driving. Perceptual load was varied in simulated driving by controlling the amount of presentation of traffic, intersections and buildings along the drive. We found a higher frequency of mind wandering in the lower perceptual load condition when a plain drive with no traffic, intersections or buildings were presented. Impacts of mind wandering on driving were found in reaction time, with task-unrelated thought having a longer time to respond.
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