Abstract
Sixty-three subjects (32 novice, and 31 experienced drivers) in twenty-four traffic situations evaluated the meaning of a road user's signals such as blinkers, headlights, hazard lamps, hand gestures. Scenes were projected by a slide projector in a laboratory. Confidence in answers was also evaluated by using a 5-point scale. The signals were classified into three categories; Formal Device-Based Signals, Informal Device-Based Signals, and Informal Gesture-Based Signals. The comprehension scores indicated that experienced drivers understood the signals better than novice drivers. The difference was especially large for the scores of Informal Device-Based Signals. Experienced drivers were more confident of their answers than novice drivers. Novice drivers understood Formal Device-Based and Informal Gesture-Based Signals better than Informal Device-Based Signals. These results were similar to those of the ratings of confidence. Gender difference was also found to have a strong effect in the scores of confidence. From the viewpoint of driver's social skill, it was discussed how their skill in interpersonal communication on roads develops in real traffic situations.
