Impact of velocity changes of surrounding vehicles on the eye movement, subjective cognition, and driving behaviour of novice drivers

Crashes often arise from dynamic changes in surrounding traffic that require complex information processing. While previous studies have focused on experienced drivers, novice drivers are more prone to distraction, with narrower visual search and slower reactions. This study explores the perception, cognition, and operation of novice drivers in dynamic multi-vehicle environments, using a driving simulation platform and eye tracker with 29 participants. Three key findings emerged: (1) Novice drivers showed positive correlations between higher fixation numbers, longer fixation durations, more accurate velocity cognition, higher risk assessment, and more steering behaviours like lane changes. (2) They were more sensitive to the velocity changes of leading vehicles than behind vehicles, likely due to the leading vehicle being in foveal vision. In deceleration scenarios, novice drivers exhibited more alert eye movements, more accurate velocity cognition, more frequent risk assessments, and more steering behaviours than in acceleration scenarios. (3) Male drivers showed less accurate velocity cognition, lower risk assessment, and more dangerous behaviours than females.