Car Simulation of Drunk Driving Behavior

Abstract

Drunk driving remains a leading cause of traffic crashes worldwide. To better understand impaired driving behaviors, this study utilized a driving simulator to compare two scenarios: one where participants consumed alcohol and another where they drove without alcohol’s effects. A virtual environment replicating the city of Palmira, Colombia, was created using geospatial data provided by GIS and procedural modeling techniques to enhance realism, including the customization of characteristic buildings. Autonomous non-player characters (NPCs) were integrated using NavMesh agents, and external controllers such as a steering wheel and pedals were employed to replicate real driving conditions. The simulation evaluated driving behaviors, focusing on the blurred vision and delayed steering responses associated with alcohol consumption. Thirty students participated in the study, driving a predefined 3-kilometer route. Participants were divided into two groups: those who consumed alcohol and those who did not. A difference of 1 minute and 25 seconds in driving time was observed between the two groups, with alcohol consumption contributing to slower response times and impaired visibility. A post-simulation questionnaire assessed participants’ perceptions of the simulation. The environment’s realism received an average score of 4.8/5, while the simulation’s immersion was rated at 3.7/5. This experiment highlights the potential of virtual simulations in studying impaired driving behaviors.