Abstract
Influence of low BAC levels on psycomotor performance and attentional control of action: implica tions for road safety. Starting from the evidence that, in order to manoeuvre in the face of unexpected events or novel situations, two of the driver's key capabilities are non-automated perceptual motor coordination and the supervisory control that executive attention exerts on cognition and action, we intend to contrast, in two samples consisting of 32 both sex volunteers, to which point each of these competences are impaired by BACs of between 0,3 and 0,5 gr/l, levels that are now legally permitted in Spain for private car drivers with more than two years of experience. Results suggest that, although perceptual motor coordination is not directly affected, attentional control capability is significantly impaired. We argue how impairment in this high level attentional factor can indirectly affects perceptual motor performance and discuss the results with reference to recent changes in Spanish traffic law.
