Communicating Through Distraction: a Study of Deaf Drivers and Their Communication Style in a Driving Environment
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Rochester Institute of Technology RIT Scholar Works Theses 11-2015 Communicating through Distraction: A Study of Deaf Drivers and Their Communication Style in a Driving Environment Pierce T. Hamilton Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.rit.edu/theses Recommended Citation Hamilton, Pierce T., "Communicating through Distraction: A Study of Deaf Drivers and Their Communication Style in a Driving Environment" (2015). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by RIT Scholar Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of RIT Scholar Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Study of Deaf Drivers Communicating through Distraction: A Study of Deaf Drivers and Their Communication Style in a Driving Environment By Pierce T. Hamilton A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Criminal Justice Approved by: Prof. _____________________________ Dr. John McCluskey (Thesis Advisor) Prof. _____________________________ Dr. Judy Porter (Thesis Advisor) Prof. _____________________________ Jennifer Gravitz, J. D. (Thesis Advisor) DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK November, 2015 A Study of Deaf Drivers Abstract This study will investigate the driving habits of deaf drivers and the manners in which they adapt to their driving experience. The lack of an auditory sense presents some unique challenges. While it is clear that driving is a predominantly visual task, auditory stimulation is still a part of the driving experience. This study seeks to determine how deaf drivers cope in a driving environment despite hearing loss. The results of the study will help to inform policy that can make the driving experience safer. ii A Study of Deaf Drivers Acknowledgements I’d like to take a moment to express my profound gratitude to my Thesis Committee: Dr. Judy Porter, Dr. John McCluskey and Dr. Jennifer Gravitz. These men and women of the RIT Criminal Justice Academic program have tirelessly provided their unwavering guidance and support. Their professionalism, deep wisdom and unrelenting dedication have made this possible. I would especially like to add my thanks to Dr. Porter for her humorous approach and deep seated patience as I worked to complete this while I constantly moved around in my career. I thank you all for helping me to realize this dream. I also owe many thanks to my Dad and Mom, Robert and Susan Hamilton. Their unwavering belief in me led me on this path where I could chase my dreams. They taught me there is no excuses and there is only hard work. I hope I have made you proud and I hope my little brothers, Carson and Wesley, feel the same. Lastly, I thank the Lord and count myself blessed to be a part of His design. Without Him, all of this wouldn’t have been possible. iii A Study of Deaf Drivers Table of Contents Title Page ....................................................................................................................................................... i Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................ iv Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Objective ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter One: Literature Review .................................................................................................................. 8 Divergence & Convergence ....................................................................................................................... 9 Distracted Driving ................................................................................................................................... 10 Inattention Blindness .............................................................................................................................. 12 Distracted Driving (Cont.) ........................................................................................................................ 15 Deaf Drivers ............................................................................................................................................. 17 Cognitive Load and Multiple Resource Theory ........................................................................................ 23 Examining the Use of ASL ........................................................................................................................ 27 Chapter Two: Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 33 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 35 Hypothesis 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 38 Hypothesis 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 39 Measuring the Independent Variable of Communication ....................................................................... 40 Measuring the Dependent Variable of Communication and Adaptation ............................................... 40 Weaknesses ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Chapter Three: Results ............................................................................................................................... 44 Deaf Focus Group .................................................................................................................................... 44 Electronic Communication .................................................................................................................. 45 Communicating with Passengers ........................................................................................................ 47 Listening to Passengers ....................................................................................................................... 50 Deaf Driver Communicating with Hearing Passenger(s) ..................................................................... 53 Deaf Passenger with a Hearing Driver ................................................................................................ 53 Opinion: Who is a Better Driver, Deaf or Hearing? ............................................................................ 54 Hearing Focus Group ............................................................................................................................... 56 Electronic Communication .................................................................................................................. 57 Communicating with Hearing Passengers .......................................................................................... 60 Conversing with Deaf Passengers ....................................................................................................... 61 iv A Study of Deaf Drivers Opinion: Who is a Better Driver, Deaf or Hearing? ............................................................................ 64 Chapter Four: Discussion............................................................................................................................ 66 Future Research Considerations .............................................................................................................. 68 References .................................................................................................................................................. 70 Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 76 Consent Form .......................................................................................................................................... 76 Questions ................................................................................................................................................ 77 Exhibits .................................................................................................................................................... 80 v A Study of Deaf Drivers Introduction America has millions of drivers that take to the roads every day. However, driving is also one of the most dangerous and life-threatening activities we engage in almost on a daily basis. It is one of the leading causes of death, especially among younger individuals. Many crashes and deaths are a direct result of distracted driving (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009). Distracted