Familiarity and Recollection in Everyday Driving

Abstract

Driving a car is one of the most common activities that we take part in everyday, however previous research has indicated that there is a gap in our current knowledge about how familiarity affects our everyday driving behaviour. Many of the studies that examine everyday driving behaviours are conducted off-road through the use of driving simulators and self-report questionnaires. The objective of this present study was therefore to investigate the role of familiarity on everyday driving behaviours during on-road drives. Additionally, this thesis sought to to examine the relationship between familiarity and driver perceptions such as anxiety and risk. The relationship between familiarity and speed choices was also observed and finally, the impact of familiarity on a driver’s ability to recall important information about a drive was investigated. Data was collected through the use of video and self-report questionnaires. In total, 30 participants took took part in two on-road drives; one which they were familiar with and another that they found unfamiliar. Results indicated that speed choices were affected by how familiar a driver was with the environment, however no relationship was found between familiarity and driver perceptions of anxiety and risk, or recollection. Further research that builds on the present findings could prove to be beneficial for future approaches towards specific interventions aimed at reducing serious vehicle accidents.