Abstract
We investigated the question of whether flashing LEDs occurring near participants can interfere with the detection task. We placed LEDs near the participants on their left and right sides. We manipulated the spatial congruency and SOA between the LED and brake lights. Results showed that the RTs of congruent trials were larger than those of incongruent trials under conditions of SOA = 550 ms, showing that LED lights captured spatial attention. These results suggest that LED flashes, when presented in a spatially task-irrelevant manner simulating in-vehicle technology, capture attention and interfere with the detection of changes in the road environment ahead.
