Drivers' Perception of and Response to Brake Failure

The behaviour and emotional state of 48 drivers was investigated during both servo booster and hydraulic circuit brake failures on a proving ground. Results suggested that the most informed and least "stressed" drivers seemed to be the most successful in bringing the test vehicle to a safe stop. The interpretation of these results was fed into a study using a driving simulator. Interventions were examined that tested both the "engineering" of the vehicle to a more stringent interpretation of current legislation and driver "information" with a novel visual/auditory warning system. Targeting the vehicle, not the driver, seemed the best way to manage the rare event of brake failure.