On the Road

With the rise of driver distraction, much effort has been made towards the development of warning signals to prevent collisions. Arizona State University psychologist Robert Gray discussed possible auditory, tactile, and visual solutions to warn drivers of possible collisions. “Designing Effective Collision Warnings for Drivers” could have been attended by psychologists and non-psychologists alike. Any person with a driver’s license would have benefited from the innovative research currently underway to decrease the number of accidents caused by driver error.

Dr. Gray recognizes that humans make errors. While talking on a cell phone when driving is not safe, it is normal behavior. “The problem is not the driver, but the roadway/vehicle/driver system,” he said.A wide range of solutions were offered to correct the driver system and studies showing the benefits of collision warning signals were presented. Still, Dr. Gray’s closing picture of a man talking widely on a cell phone during a near fender bender reminded us all “not to be that guy.”

-Christina Smith