Driving performance while using cell phones: an observational study

INTRODUCTION: Through spontaneous driving observations, this study sought to examine the impact of using a hands-free cell phone while driving on speed and safe gap keeping behaviors. The study also examined the association between the measure of disturbance created by using a cell phone and the driver's awareness of the disturbance. METHOD: Twenty-three male adults were observed while driving for an hour and a half each; drivers were unaware of being observed. During the session, each of the participants received a phone call, initiated by an associate of the observer. The experiment was divided into two periods during which the experimental parameters were monitored: 10 minutes during conversation on a cell phone and 10 minutes of non-conversation on a hands-free cell phone. After the experiment, the driver was questioned concerning the extent to which his/her driving was disturbed by the cell phone conversation. RESULTS: T-test for matched samples revealed that the gaps between the drivers' cars and those in front of them diminished when drivers were engaged in the cell phone conversations. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that drivers that had short conversations did not change their speed, while drivers who were engaged in long (over 16 minutes) conversations drove faster. No effect of drivers' awareness toward cell phone-related disturbance on actual driving behavior monitored in the present study was found.     

Parents' views of teen driving risks, the role of parents, and how they plan to manage the risks

PROBLEM: There is limited information about how parents view teen driving risks and intend to handle these risks during the licensing process, and how they will respond to graduated licensing provisions. METHODS: Parents in Connecticut were interviewed when their teens got their learner's permit. The survey was undertaken when the state did not have a midnight restriction or a passenger restriction. RESULTS: Generally, parents were well aware of teen driving risks, thought parents should be thoroughly involved in the licensing process, and plan to be active participants themselves. DISCUSSION: Parents were concerned about the risk of driving after midnight and already restrict that behavior. However, parents do not seem to see or understand the risks of having even one teen passenger in the vehicle. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The views and existing practices of parents need to be taken into account in deciding on the provisions of graduated licensing legislation and how to best ensure acceptance and compliance.     

Validation of the propensity for angry driving scale

Problem: This study examined the validity of the Propensity for Angry Driving Scale (PADS; DePasquale, J. P., Geller, E. S., Clarke, S. W., and Littleton, L. C. (2001). Measuring road rage: Development of the Propensity for Angry Driving Scale. Journal of Safety Research, 32, 1–16) in predicting aggressive driving. Method: The PADS and the Driving Anger Scale (DAS; Deffenbacher, J. L., Oetting, E. R., and Lynch, R. S. (1994). Development of a driving anger scale. Psychological reports, 74, 83–91.) were administered to 232 college student volunteers with measures of aggressive and risky driving. Results: Convergent and discriminant validity of the PADS were supported through relationships among measures of similar constructs. The PADS significantly (p<.05) predicted moving tickets, minor accidents, aggressive driving, risky driving, and maladaptive driving anger expression, above and beyond gender, miles driven per week, and trait anger. Discussion: Findings suggest that the PADS is a useful predictor of aggressive driving and has some advantages over the DAS. Impact on Industry: The PADS is an effective predictor of aggressive driving that complements established measures like the DAS and provides researchers with another valuable tool for the assessment of aggressive driving.     

海南东寨港红树林湿地面积变化及其驱动力分析

本文分析了海南省东寨港红树林湿地的面积变化及其驱动力。结合早期地形图和实地调查数据，利用3个时相的TM遥感图片，计算出1959年、1989年、1996年、2002年4个时相的红树林面积分别为3213．8hm^2、1657．8hm^2、2018．8hm^2和1552．6hm^2。在过去的近50年里，有近50％的天然红树林被毁掉，红树林湿地被转换为经济林种植田、水产养殖塘、城镇基础设施建设用地等。自1980年成立红树林自然保护区以来，红树林得到了一定程度的保护，1989年到1996年图像对比上红树林面积增加了361．0hm^2。近年来，旅游业的开发对红树林生态系统存在一定程度的干扰。2002年，红树林面积相对于1996年减少了566．2hm^2。此外，红树林斑块的空间格局和树种的构成发生了变化，红树林群落植物多样性明显减弱。在综合分析基础上，根据生态系统综合管理的思想。提出了建立高水平的管理研究队伍，采用先进的管理技术和手段，综合管理红树林生态系统。     

A note on the effectiveness of the house-arrest alternative for motivating DWI offenders to install ignition interlocks

Introduction

The effectiveness of ignition interlocks at reducing drunk driving has been limited by the ability of driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders to avoid court orders to install the devices.

Methods

In a pilot program in New Mexico, four Santa Fe County judges imposed home confinement (via electronic monitoring bracelets) on offenders who claimed to have no car or no intention to drive. Interlock installation rates for Santa Fe County were compared with all other counties in New Mexico over a 2-year program and 2-year post-program period.

Results

During the two program years, 70% of the drivers convicted of DWI in Santa Fe County installed interlocks, compared to only 17% in the other counties, but when the program was terminated, the Santa Fe installation rate fell by 18.8 percentage points.

Summary

Mandating the alternative sanction of house arrest led to the highest reported interlock installation rate for DWI offenders.

Impact on Industry

Impaired driving is a substantial expense to employers, particularly when it bars driving that interferes with employment. Interlocks provide a method of protecting the public while permitting the offender to drive sober. This study was directed at increasing interlock use by DWI offenders.     

Older driver retraining: An updated systematic review of evidence of effectiveness

Problem and Objective

The number of older drivers who might benefit from driver retraining is growing. A previous review on the effectiveness of older driver retraining included intervention studies up to 2004. The objective was to perform an updated systematic review of the effectiveness of older driver retraining for improving driving-related skills and reducing crash rates.

Method

Articles published from 2004-2008 were grouped according to the intervention provided and outcome studied. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were appraised using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Scale and scored for quality according to their internal validity. Each intervention's effectiveness was then rated and assigned a level of evidence by combining pre- and post- 2004 findings.

Results

Three RCTs and one matched-pairs cohort design met the inclusion criteria. There is strong evidence (Level 1a) that education combined with on-road training improves driving performance and moderate evidence (Level 1b) that it improves knowledge. There is moderate evidence (Level 1b) that physical retraining improves driving performance. There is moderate evidence (Level 1b) that an educational intervention curriculum alone is not effective in reducing crashes.

Summary

The updated evidence on the effectiveness of retraining aimed at older drivers is sufficiently encouraging to merit assertive health promotion actions regarding intervention and program planning.

Impact on Industry

These positive findings warrant a comprehensive plan that has both behavioral and monetary incentives encouraging older driver participation in programs aimed at driver safety.     

榆林地区植被时空分异特征及其影响因素研究

植被作为反映陆地生态系统和气候的重要指标,对研究全球或区域生态环境变化具有重要作用.以地处黄土高原生态脆弱区的榆林市为研究区,基于地理探测器模型,选取坡向、坡度、气温、降水和土壤类型5类自然因子,土地利用类型、人口密度和GDP 3类人文因子,分析榆林地区植被空间分异特征及其驱动力,并揭示了促进植被生长影响因子的最适宜特...     

Quantitative Appraisement on Ecological Carrying Capacity in Coastal Rapid Developing Region of Hainan Province

Abstract

The ecological carrying capacity, an important indicator to evaluate the sustainable development of the ecosystem, means the potential ability of the natural ecosystem to carry socioeconomic development while the ecosystem is healthy. It is limited by the carrying capacity of natural resources and environment and the elasticity of the ecosystem. It will be greatly significant to study the ecological carrying capacity of Hainan Province, the first ecological province admitted by the State Environmental Protection Administration in China. Not only is the natural ecosystem reflected, but also the effects of human activities are emphasized by integrating the ecosystem health analysis into the ecological carrying capacity research. The research results, using the Factor Analysis tools of software SPSS, indicate that the ecological carrying capacity of Hainan Province fluctuated obviously from 1996 to 2005. The level of the ecological carrying capacity of Hainan Province was relatively high in 1996, and reached into trough from 1997 to 1999. It has steadily ascended to be above the middle level since the 21st century. The results also show that policy factors, especially the implementation of the ‘Ecological Province’ strategy, were important driving forces to influence the ecological carrying capacity. With the population rapidly increasing, the land and water resources per capita have decreased quickly. The amount of the ecological carrying capacity was promoted remarkably by socioeconomic development especially economic growth and technology applications. All of these will provide useful suggestions to establish and enact regional development policies, especially for protecting and reconstructing the ecology and environment of Hainan Province.     

汽车驾驶员行车事故神经行为学方法研究的多因素分析

采用世界卫生组织“神经行为核心测试组合”（ＷＨＯ．ＮＣＴＢ），对１２５名汽车驾驶员进行了神经行为功能测试，并对测试结果及方法作了进一步的一元和多元回归分析。结果表明：事故组与无事故组驾驶员在神经行为功能方面存在显著差异。神经行为功能测试总分与年龄和事故次数是显著负相关，与学龄呈显著正相关。在ＮＣＴＢ各分测验中，简单反应时、目标追踪和提转捷度三项测验得分对总分贡献率较大，为最敏感指标。揭示在驾驶员行车事故的预防及职业选择和培训中，应考虑年龄因素和文化水平，并选择敏感指标进行神经行为功能测试，以预防和减少交通事故的发生。     

武汉城市圈土地利用变化系统仿真模拟与驱动力分析

土地利用变化是全球环境变化与可持续研究的重要内容,驱动力研究是土地利用变化研究中的核心问题。现有土地利用变化驱动力研究多针对单一的城市区域展开,无法解释城市群地区,城市一体化战略指导下城市交互作用对土地利用变化的影响。运用系统动力学(SD)方法,综合考虑经济、人口、城市化、政策等主要人文因素,并将城市交互作用因素引入SD,以武汉城市圈为例,构建土地利用变化系统SD模型,运用1997~2006年的历史数据进行检验,并对武汉城市圈2010~2020年不同情景下的土地利用变化进行模拟。结果表明,建立的SD模型是有效的,两种情景下土地利用变化表现出差异性,说明城市交互作用是除经济、人口城市化等社会经济因素外,土地利用变化的又一重要影响因素。