Visual search and eye movements in drivers with different experience. A review

Deficient visual scanning of road and its environment is an outstanding factor contributing to traffic accidents. This article reviews differences in visual behaviour between learner and experienced motor-vehicle drivers. Several eye-tracking techniques have been used to measure drivers' eye movements, both in real or laboratory conditions (simulators or video projection). Researcher's interest has been focused on several topics: eye fixations duration in several traffic settings, extend of visual scan, gaze duration toward irrelevant objects, tracking of road's trajectory when steering, and visual detection of dangerous events. Overall, there is an agreement to assert that experience allows the development of suitable visual strategies enabling drivers to perceive relevant information; therefore, a better adaptation to traffic settings may be obtained. Finally, some methodological suggestions -especially those concerning criteria to define level of experience- are discussed, as well as the necessity of an intervention policy to be applied when learning to improve traffic safety.