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Thesis
Predictors of Driving Risk: Attention Deficits, Situation Awareness, Cognitive Failures, and Secondary Task Engagement
University of West Florida Libraries
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2026
Abstract
This study examined the impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in drivers on situation awareness and the tendency to engage in a nonessential secondary task while driving. This study also examined the relationships between cognitive failures specific to driving and symptoms of ADHD, and the relationship between cognitive failures and SA. Whether participants displayed symptoms of ADHD was determined through a questionnaire. Another questionnaire observed typical cognitive failures drivers may experience. Situation awareness among drivers ages 18-47 (n = 54) was assessed using a driving simulator and a query method. Engagement in a nonessential secondary task was measured by whether or not participants decided to participate in a twenty questions game. Performance was also measured by the number of driving infractions committed (e.g., speeding, collisions, centerline crossings). Results indicated there is no relationship between ADHD symptoms and situation awareness or tendency to engage in nonessential secondary tasks. No relationship was found between situation awareness and cognitive failures specific to driving. However, this study provides evidence of a relationship between cognitive failures and symptoms of ADHD. That is, people with higher symptomology scores reported committing a greater number of cognitive failures while driving. These findings have implications for promoting safe driving behaviors in drivers who display symptoms of ADHD and awareness of cognitive failures they may experience.
Details
- Title
- Predictors of Driving Risk
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Contributors
- Steven J. Kass (Committee Chair)Vanessa Rainey (Committee Member)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 33
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries by the author to digitize and/or display this information for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99381865662006600
- Academic Unit
- Psychology; Usha Kundu, MD College of Health
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Arts (MA)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida