Driver's emotional state and detection of vulnerable road users: towards a better understanding of how emotions affect drivers' perception using cardiac and ocular metrics

Abstract Traditionally, anger has been considered to have a detrimental effect on driving. However, recent studies suggest that this statement should be qualified, especially where vulnerable road user detection is concerned. One primary factor which may determine anger’s effect on a driver’s attention is its intensity. In the present study, different intensities of anger were elicited via film clips, then performances in vulnerable road user detection (i.e., of cyclists) were assessed while participants drove a car in a simulated environment. Cardiac and ocular measurements and self-reported data were used in order to accurately assess emotional state and attention management throughout the experiment. Results suggested that participants resorted to reappraisal strategies when they were exposed to the emotional film clips. This phenomenon did not directly affect cyclist detection performances, but evidence of different visual scanning strategies between groups emerged. The contribution of cardiac and ocular measurements to emotional assessment and the advantages of appraisal approaches of emotion were also discussed.