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Abstract

The effects of alcohol-impaired driving were hypothesized to vary depending upon the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of the driver and the external demands of the driving situation. To examine the effects of task demand on the performance of drivers under sober and alcohol-dosed conditions, a driving simulation experiment was conducted. Twelve subjects drove a simulator under three levels of BAC and two levels of task demand. The task required negotiation of curves, responses to selected traffic signs and avoidance of unexpected obstacles. Alcohol effects were evident in overall driving performance, in the responses to curves, and in the number of obstacles struck. Increasing the demands of the driving task had no effect on performance in curve approach and negotiation, and influenced only one general measure of driving performance. With the exception of reaction time to signs, increased task demand did not change the effects of alcohol. In the high demand/high alcohol condition, subjects were able to compensate for the increased number of obstacles struck by more efficient responding to signs.

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Task Demand and Alcohol Effects on Simulated Driving Performance *

Abstract

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