Alteration of the useful visual field as a function of state of vigilance in simulated car driving

The size of the useful visual field varies under the effect of different variables. Recent research has shown that the useful visual field deteriorates when the individual carries out a monotonous and prolonged monitoring task that leads to drowsiness. The aim of this study was to establish if the visual field also deteriorates during simulated car driving when this may induce a decrease in the level of alertness. Eighteen subjects had to follow another vehicle for 2 h while simultaneously carrying out a colour discrimination task in central vision and a detection task of a peripheral target that could appear anywhere in the road scene. The analysis of the data indicated that the useful visual field deteriorates with the prolongation of the monotonous driving task according to a tunnel vision-like phenomenon.

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