Traffic Safety and Human Behavior

Traffic crashes are one of the ten leading causes of deaths worldwide, and the leading cause of death for young people in the western world - a seemingly necessary evil that accompanies increasing levels of motorization. In this comprehensive 2nd edition of the classic “Traffic Safety and Human Behavior” Dr David Shinar provides a theoretical framework and a critical evaluation of the most recent research findings to comprehend the complexity of traffic safety and the central role that road users - drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians play in it. In the new edition of approximately 1000 pages with nearly 300 graphs and tables, Shinar covers the key issues that relate human behavior to traffic safety and the impact that cultural, policy, and technological changes have on them. In particular the new edition covers the increasing roles that pedestrians and cyclists have in the traffic system and the need to accommodate them; the intrusion of infotainment and its role in driver distraction; and the increasing role of crash-prevention and driver assistance systems in changing the driver-vehicle interaction.

The first edition of this book was published in 2007. This second edition highlights findings from the use of naturalistic driving studies and the technique of meta-analysis. This edition presents the latest research on driving safety, road users behavior, and changing cultural norms that emphasize sustainability. There is new material on bicyclists and motorcyclists and new info on autonomous vehicles. Other new areas explored are in-vehicle driver assistance systems and the latest research on human limitations and capabilities related to driving. Part A provides background on methods, models, and theories of driver behavior, and Part B looks at driver capacities and individual differences in visual attention in young drivers, new drivers, and older drivers. Later sections cover driving style, temporary impairment, and vulnerable road users (such as pedestrians). The final section deals with causes of crashes and countermeasures. The book contains b&w photos, diagrams, and summary charts. --Annotation ©2017 Ringgold Inc. Portland, OR (protoview.com)