Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-17
TESTS OF DRIVERS
BARE DIFFERENCES
Good Auto Pilots Are Found
TO Have Fast Pulse Rates
and Coordination.
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

BY THOMAS X. HENRY.
Discovery of fundamental physical
and mental differences between good
and bad automobile drivers is the OBJ
jective of an extensive investigation
under way under auspices of the Ma
tional Research Council.
Although the studies still are in their
preliminary stages, reports made public
indicate clear differences between indl-
yiduals such as would not be brought
out ordinarily in road tests. One piece
of laboratory apparatus, for example
gives nearly 100 per cent better results
for drivers who have not inquired IN
accidents Other clear differences are
shown in favor of generally more active
persons. those with faster heart beats
which do not show such marked acc
celeration with exercise and those with
weaker reactions to such Senscry
stimuli as can be given in the laoora-
tory
In one apparatus the person being
tested was seated in stationary de-
vice like the drivers seat OF an auto
mobile Before him were two moving
arrows, one above the other. the lower
arrow was controlled by the drivers
wheel BY concentrated attention the
point could be kept on a dot on a
screen. Deviations from this point were
automatically recorded. This was es-
sentially steering test.
Crash Drivers Score Less.
The upper arrow was out of the
drivers control. At regular intervals
its point also rested momentarily on
the dot. Whenever 1T did SO the sup
ject was supposed to press down on his
clutch and brake at the same time.
This stopped a motor, but the motor
would not stop unless the subject re-
acted at the instant when the points
of the two arrows were on the DOT.
It is described as an apparatus to
measure eye, hand and foot co-ordina-
ton. This, it is explained, is not
test of actual driving ability, but OF
something that enters prominently into
the ability to drive in traf1c. Every
movement was automatically recorded.
The drivers who had figured in acct
dents did only about half as well as
those whose records were clear.
Good Pilots Are More Active.
Other tests were made by such little
known laboratory devices as the pur-
suitmeter, the galvanometer, the psy-
chergograph, the lectometer and the
stabimeter. Results indicated some OF
these, together with specially con-
structed combinations, may be used
eventually to measure all those who
apply for licenses to drive.
The experiments were conducted by
Drs. Albert p Weiss and A. r. Lauer
of Ohio State University, under a grant
from the National Research Council.
During the past two years approx
mately $50 individuals have been stud
led, including professional drivers, COL
lege students and persons picked at
random from the motorists Of Ohio
cities. The accident record of each was
checked against performance in the lab
oratory tests.
Experiments showed the better driv-
ers moved more frequently in the seat,
turned the wheel more, and generally
tended to be more active. The pulse
rate of the better subjects was BAT per
cent faster than that Of the poorer ones,
but after exercise that Of the accident
prone drivers increased approximately
20 per cent more than that of the
others 1t was found that fast heart
beat and good vision generally went
together.
Judging Speed Induces Sleep.
On the other hand, the tests showed,
there is no definite relation between
visual defects and accidents. Those
with poor eyeSight, 1t was indicated,
tend to compensate for 1t by more
careful driving The lethargic, dreamy
individual, the report states, seems like
ly to have accidents independent Of any
superior skill he may possess. This also
shows up in the laboratory tests
Another apparatus measured a per-
sons ability to estimate the speed OF
moving object after it had disappeared
from view. Strangely enough, although
there we're great individual differences
It appeared to make no difference, so
far as the number Of accidents was
concerned. The only significant differ
ence in favor of the non accident driv-
ers was notable in the estimation Of a
YER. slow speed. 1t was found. however,
that long-continued efforts to estimate
such speed tended to make the subject
sleepy. This may prove valuable lead
in study of the reasons why drivers fall
asleep at the wheel on long trips.
Social Standing Related.
A special study was devoted to the
social standing of the different types
of drivers. In general it was found
that the stable citizen is less likely to
figure in a SmaSh-up than one who Is
les stable. It may be a case OF Using
greater care, or that the traits which
lead to general success in life also are
conducive to good driving.
Conclusions stated by the investl-
gators are:
Nervousness is the major cause Of
accidents. When coupled with poor
motor coordination it is especially
dangerous. Visual defects, in and OF
themselves, are not so important. The
strain on the driver through eye defects
is the major factor in accident causa-
tioll from such conditions. Low vitality
is likely to result in inattention, which
is a major factor in certain types OF
accidents. Such conditions are most
frequently temporary in character due
to the general health of the driver, con-
ditions in the home and worries.
THE actions of the expert and safe
driver are too complex to justify the
hope at this time Of any very simple
measurement which will indicate his
skill. The licensing problem thus be-
comes one Of measuring actual per-
Torrance. The laboratory tests will
find their greatest value in predicting
the variability of experienced drivers
and in giving an index of the probable
performance of inexperienced drivers"