Biopsychology Literature Review

A critical review of the psychophysiology of driver fatigue

Lal, S. K. L., & Craig, A. (2001). A critical review of the psychophysiology of driver fatigue.

Biological Psychology, 55(3), 173–194.

Doi :10.1016/s0301-0511(00)00085-5

Orbeta, Kristin Jan B.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology 3-3

Biological Psychology
 A critical review of the psychophysiology of driver fatigue

Saroj K.L. Lal & Ashley Craig

November 2000

A Biopsychology analysis article entitled "A critical review of the psychophysiology of

driver fatigue by Saroj K.L. Lal & Ashley Craig has dispensed a comprehensive analysis of

notions of fatigue and synthesis regarding psychophysiological correlations with driver fatigue.

Anxiety and mood states were also identified as indicators that could influence driver fatigue.

Moreover, it was further revealed that personality and temperament could have an adverse

impact on fatigue. The review has also provided a critical evaluation of the designs employed,

analyzed the findings in light of future research approaches, as well as provided insight into the

utilization of countermeasures to reduce fatigue-related fatalities.

As stated in this analysis, in industries such as transportation, medical services,

manufacturing, military, aviation, and several general operations, the contemporary

technological society depends on 24-hour operations or shiftwork. Shift workers may experience

significant sleep and circadian rhythm disruption, which can result in the reduction of waking

awareness, relatively poor performance, exacerbate moods, and fatigue. Driving fatigue is a

significant issue in transportation systems, and it is thought to be a primary or underlying factor

of traffic accidents that costs billions of dollars, and studies have found that fatigue is

responsible for 20–30% of all transportation fatalities. Fatigue is consistently indicated as a

significant cause of traffic accidents among night-time drivers who have been driving in

monotonous settings.

Nonetheless, as reported in the study, there has been insufficient attempt to assess

driving task performance and neurophysiological and cardiovascular activity across time. Such
an evaluation could yield significant data and serve as the foundation for developing a fatigue

countermeasure mechanism. Hence, the primary objective of the present review is to initially

distinguish the potential of using psychophysiological aspects (including

electroencephalography as a fatigue indicator) and then to evaluate the effectiveness of a

countermeasure based on recognizing physiological changes during fatigue from the existing

literature. The review covers a wide range of topics, including fatigue concepts and theories,

driver fatigue, psychophysiological indicators, and countermeasures for driver exhaustion.

Considering the facts and circumstances, a greater comprehension of fatigue psychology may

contribute to advanced fatigue management. The findings of this analysis are addressed in the

context of prospective exploration and the development of fatigue countermeasures.

Driver fatigued poses a considerable risk to the safety of the road environment as drivers

are more likely to respond less quickly to the changes in the traffic and are most likely to be

disoriented to notice things that may pose a risk. A person deprived of sleep may have poor

thinking ability and hand-eye coordination, making them prone to traffic accidents. Studies

regarding driver fatigue are essential in helping prevent fatigue-related cases in the road

environment. The review can be essential in developing interventions for properly managing

driver fatigue. This study further promotes flexible work and rest hours among transport

operators and also paves the way to more in-depth exploration regarding knowledge of the

causal factors, repercussions, and management of fatigue, as well as the operator's fatigue

management system, applicable to their role.

Fatigued drivers pose a risk regarding their own and other people's safety. Research

regarding Driver Fatigue help minimize those safety risk and protect themselves and other

people in the road. Fatigue management does not only help a company free from much larger

finances regarding traffic-related incidences that cover company insurances and create a

pleasant traffic environment, helping save thousands of people at risk of road accidents.
 Therefore, it is a crucial aspect to be explored in the field of Biopsychology as fatigue

can adversely affect drivers' behavior and coping strategies. While the driver must adapt and

react adequately in crucial situations and cope effectively with crisis management, fatigue is

likely to influence people's coping strategies, increasing the risk of incidents. A driver's

performance tends to slow down and becomes less efficient, and loses the ability to execute the

physical or mental activity. Driver fatigue is also associated with stress-related psychosocial

factors of work burn-out and more likely to affect the reaction time and performance of the

drivers significantly.