Analysis of Driver Behavior Based on Traffic Incidents for Driver Monitor Systems

Research is being conducted into a large number of on-board driver monitor systems as a means of reducing traffic accidents. In order to improve the effectiveness of these systems, it is necessary to detect the driver behavior and mental and physical state immediately before an accident, and to inform or warn the driver of the danger, or else to send an intervention signal to the pre-crash safety system and other advanced vehicle safety systems. Previous research has been conducted for conditions of apparent risk, and has used drive recorders to analyze the causes of accidents and to investigate and analyze driver behavior and other factors which are present immediately before an accident. This study involved an investigation of near-miss accidents (hereafter referred to as "incidents") by means of interviews in order to determine the driver behavior and mental and physical state immediately before the incident, when there was the potential risk of an accident. The purpose of this study is to contribute to research concerning advanced vehicle safety systems. We will here provide an analysis of the results and propose direction for future research concerning driver monitor systems.