Age and gender differences in stress responses during simulated driving

A study of group differences in susceptibility to stress during simulated driving is reported. 74 drivers participated, with approximately equal numbers of younger (18-25) and older (55-78) drivers, and of men and women. Stress was manipulated by exposing half the sample to a failure experience; frequent, uncontrollable skids. Following the stress manipulation, drivers' hazard perception, speed and vehicle control were assessed. Subjective state before and after the drive was assessed by questionnaire. It was hypothesized that older and female drivers might show greater subjective distress and performance impairment in the stress condition. Results showed that age was a stronger influence on performance than either gender or stress. Older drivers showed impairments in hazard detection and vehicle control, but appeared to compensate through slower speed. Older drivers and women showed higher levels of distress throughout the study, but these groups did not show any differential sensitivity to the stress manipulation. It is concluded that driver stress as a safety problem largely depends on individual differences, although group differences may be evident in other circumstances.