Difference of driving performance according to turn types at the intersection and age

This study examined the difference of driving performance according to turn types (left /right turn), suggested by Bao and Boyle (2009), and age(old and young adults). To do that, the turn types at the intersection were divided into 12 scenarios of left and right turn, respectively and by making approach velocity at the intersection, the passing time at the intersection, the speed and steering variation while passing the intersection as the measures of driving performance were measured by using two age groups, young and old adults. As a result, young drivers approached and passed the intersection faster than older drivers. It suggests that old drivers have a low level of driving confidence, which can be interpreted as a result of a kind of compensatory behavior when considering their physical degradation. Also, compared with the right turn intersection, there was a big speed variation while turning at the left turn intersection. It is reflecting the driving behavior which appears because a driver recognizes that there is more information to be confirmed constantly for safety driving while turning left, compared with right turn. However, it suggests that a driver might have accidents while turning right at the intersection when the objects besides vehicles appear because of this driving behavior, as suggested by Summala, et al.(1996).