Neuropsychological approach to identifying risky driving behaviors

Driving is a complex behavior that can be affected by an individual\´s emotional and cognitive status, and the environment. Since a neuropsychological approach is useful in identifying the complex combination of factors that may cause risky driving behaviors, and because subjective perceptions may misguide the decision-making process, this approach based on brain wave indexes was examined. The merit of this approach is that it enables any member to make decisions regarding an individual\´s ability to drive, despite insufficient information. First, we used a questionnaire survey to identify "risky drivers" and the relationship between traffic accidents and the drivers\´ psychosomatic state before traffic accidents. As a result, we found that risky drivers, who made up only 13.6% of respondents, accounted for 56.2% of the total number of accidents. We identified the "risky psychosomatic state" related to the risky driving behaviors. Finally, we proposed a direction for research concerning the neuropsychological approach based on brain wave indexes. These results can be incorporated into advanced driving support systems that grasp the driving environment, control the driver\´s psychosomatic state to alleviate his risky psychological traits, and intervene to handle the car inappropriately.