Measuring young novice driver performance in a simulator: A pathway to prevention of motor vehicle crashes

Background: The morbidity and mortality associated with motor vehicle crashes involving young people is a global public health crisis. Driver error is a major factor in crashes. Driving simulators can serve as a safe measure of driving performance. Purpose: To analyze the literature on the use of driving simulators for the evaluation of driving performance in young novice drivers. Methods: Systematic review in Pubmed, Compendex, PsychInfo, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar in December 2010 of published English language studies using driving simulators to assess young novice driver performance. Inclusion criteria: drivers ≤24 years of age and ≤ 1 year of driver training or licensure; studies had a distinct young novice driver group; and simulator data used in analysis. Outcomes: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. The sample contained n=2 validation studies; n=7 observational, including group comparisons (e.g. experienced versus novice) and assessment of the consequences of hazards or distractions; and n=6 assessment of the effects of risk awareness training and performance feedback. Use of eye tracking devices in n=3 studies helped capture driver inattention and hazard perception. Though variables such as speed were often collected, no studies reported on driving performance as a multidimensional outcome for young novice drivers. Conclusions: Few studies examine the utility of simulators for assessment of young driver performance. Published protocols are limited and lack reported reliability and validity evaluations for driving performance as a multidimensional construct. Future research should examine driving performance as a multidimensional construct measured through simulator data and eye tracking data.