Effects of Cognitive Distraction on Lane-keeping: Performance Loss or Improvement?

Cognitive distraction while driving often reduces the variability of lane position. However, data do not make clear whether this effect should be interpreted as a performance loss, indicating driver rigidity or unresponsiveness to external stimuli, or a performance improvement, indicating better vehicle control. To distinguish these possibilities, the present study assessed drivers’ responsiveness to heavy lateral winds under varying levels of working memory load. Cognitive load reduced the variability of lane position, increased drivers’ steering reversal rate, and increased the coherence between steering wheel position and lateral wind velocity. Results suggest that cognitive distraction improved lateral lane keeping, rather than inducing rigidified steering manipulation.