ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the psychology of the driver impairments that fatigue may produce. It focuses on cognitive psychological models that conceptualize driving as a task that requires active regulation of task demands. The chapter describes the implications of the model for developing countermeasures. It also focuses on the issues that relate directly to the transactional perspective on driver fatigue. Some experts suggest that the actual number of fatigue-related car crashes may be even higher than is typically reported, due to several factors. First, there is the persistent issue of an agreed upon definition and measurement of fatigue. Second, drivers may underreport their involvement in fatigue-related crashes due to legal or insurance issues. The contribution of fatigue to fatal crashes, the risks of driving while experiencing symptoms of fatigue, may indeed be comparable to the risk associated with alcohol intoxication.
