The correlation between driving risk and visual attention when using smartphones while driving in novice drivers

Although many countries restrict the use of smartphones while driving, smartphones are utilized in various ways as there are limits to enforcement. Accordingly, efforts are made to determine the risks of novice drivers with low safety awareness and higher risk. This study observed and analyzed changes in visual attention and driving risks according to the way smartphones are used while driving and the scientific relationship between the 2 variables. Forty-five novice drivers were asked to simultaneously perform 4 types of tasks during a driving simulation: hand-held calls, portable hands-free (Bluetooth) calls, sending messages, and not using smartphones. In this process, visual attention was tested using an eye tracker, and the driving function was examined using scenario driving results. Afterward, the differences in visual attention and driving function by task category and the correlation between the 2 variables were analyzed. Significant differences were confirmed in the following categories of novice drivers' smartphone use while driving: eye blink duration, eye fixation frequency, average eye fixation duration, frequency of saccadic eye movement, average saccade duration, and amplitude and speed of saccade. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between driving risk in speeding rate, centerline crossing rate, road edge excursion rate, average deviation rate, number of off-road accidents, and the number of collision accidents. Lastly, visual attention indices had different significant positive or negative correlations with driving functions. When novice drivers use smartphones while driving compared to when they do not use smartphones, changes in visual attention characteristics in the number and duration of eye blinks, eye fixations, and saccades increased the risk of accidents due to deceleration and lane departure. In particular, the risk increased the most when sending messages, and the risk of accidents continued although the increased burden due to smartphone use was compensated for by slowing down the speed. We hope that the findings of this study will be actively used in efforts to change novice drivers' traffic safety attitudes while driving.