Evaluation of Overtaking Sight Distance Using a Driver’s Psycho-emotional Response
Driver Behaviour and Training. Vol.VI 2013
Atis Zariņš, Jānis Smirnovs, Līga Plakane

According to the latest statistics only 0.3% of road accidents in Latvia happen during an overtaking manoeuvre. However, they cause 5% of all fatalities and 1% of injuries from overall road accidents overall. This indicates a necessity for improvements and a better understanding of this particular road traffic phenomenon. A study of driver reflexes and emotional responses during overtaking was carried out at Riga Technical University. The main attention was devoted to evaluating of proper sight distances necessary for this manoeuvre and to evaluating of its overall duration and length. The research was based on galvanic skin response (GSR) and heart rate (HR) measurements of the driver, together with video recording during real traffic on different one carriageway two lane roads. More than 120 overtaking manoeuvres were recorded and analysed. It was determined that the actual sight distance used and the overtaking manoeuvre itself is significantly longer than that provided for in the local road design code. In actual traffic only 30-40% of overtaking manoeuvres can be considered to be safe. Overtaking is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres in traffic, since it causes travelling in the opposite lane. If a collision occurs during this manoeuvre, the consequences can be very serious. Statistics reveal that the collisions that occur in such cases involve human injuries more often than other types of accidents (up to 92% of cases), as well as often (20% of cases) involving more than two vehicles. It is very essential for the driver to: 1) evaluate a clear and transparent view distance while performing an overtaking manoeuvre, and 2) have enough visual information and time to make a decision about the continuation of overtaking or abandonment of this manoeuvre, without creating a hazard to himself/herself or to other road users.


Atslēgas vārdi
overtaking, psycho-emotional response, GSR, sight distance

Zariņš, A., Smirnovs, J., Plakane, L. Evaluation of Overtaking Sight Distance Using a Driver’s Psycho-emotional Response. No: Driver Behaviour and Training, Vol.VI. England: Asgate Publishing Limited, 2013, 151.-159.lpp. ISBN 978-1-4724-1469-4. e-ISBN 978-1-4724-1470-0.

Publikācijas valoda
English (en)
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