Healthy Living

Research has shown that a large proportion of drivers have to deal with a special form of driving anxiety: acceleration stress or acceleration stress. Stress at the wheel is a well-known phenomenon, and can be divided into two categories.

On the one hand, there are the drivers who show phobic behavior at the wheel, so those who are afraid to drive. This form of stress is known as amaxophobia. The severity of the condition varies, and in a severe form can lead to real anxiety attacks. On the other hand, there is the stress that results from the circumstances or personality of the driver: traffic congestion, difficulties on the route, weather conditions, nervousness, impulsivity, aggressiveness...

An American team (University of Houston) recently conducted research into stress at the wheel. The researchers identified a particular form of stress that a large number of motorists suffer from: acceleration stress.

Highway and green light create tension

In the experiment, volunteers took turns driving the same 19-kilometer urban and semi-urban route, in the same weather conditions and with the same (light) traffic. Two types of information were recorded: the movements of the vehicle (acceleration, braking, cornering, etc.) via a "black box" and the stress reactions of the driver, using a thermal camera that recorded the (minimal) changes in the heat and perspiration of the face.
Rather unexpectedly, half of the drivers showed significantly greater voltage reactions during the acceleration phases.
Even more surprising is that this happens in everyday circumstances, such as when one pulls up in the driveway to a highway or even when the light turns green.

Impact on road safety

Does this stress response, of which many motorists are probably not even aware, have consequences for road safety? For those who drive everyday routes at a normal frequency, perhaps not. But the situation is undoubtedly different for certain professional drivers (truck drivers, couriers, etc.) who are exposed to these stress situations throughout the day and who may eventually develop chronic stress or anxiety disorder. In addition to the acceleration stress, there are many other circumstances that can further complicate the situation, including triggers whose consequences or even existence are not yet known.