Driving drowsy test being developed

Researchers in Australia are develop a roadside test that can determine whether drivers are too drowsy to be behind the wheel. The system uses special glasses that track eye movements and measure the length of blinks, which are factors thought to identify whether a person is fatigued. The system is being developed as research suggests up to 20% of Australians have fallen asleep while at the wheel and 33% drive while tired once a month or more. Driving while tired is thought to be as much a risk as being
February 23, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Researchers in Australia are develop a roadside test that can determine whether drivers are too drowsy to be behind the wheel.  The system uses special glasses that track eye movements and measure the length of blinks, which are factors thought to identify whether a person is fatigued. The system is being developed as research suggests up to 20% of Australians have fallen asleep while at the wheel and 33% drive while tired once a month or more.

Driving while tired is thought to be as much a risk as being drunk at the wheel. Fatigue is thought to be a factor in up to 20% of road crashes according to the Danish road safety expert, Jesper Solund. Research suggests that the majority of fatigue related incidents involve either a single car or a head-on crash. Drivers can be at greatest risk from fatigue when driving in the darkness between 3am and 5am, with shift workers being particularly vulnerable.

Related Content

  • The Danish Road Directorate is testing climate-friendly asphalt
    June 4, 2018
    Over the next few weeks, Denmark is hosting a world-premiere in the field of green infrastructure. A busy section of the motorway exiting the greater area of Copenhagen northbound towards Elsinore has been chosen is being used for the trials. This is the first of several roads on the Danish state road network to receive a special climate-friendly asphalt, as part of the development of pavements that reduce emissions from road traffic. This type of asphalt has been developed over the last decade and is the
    Read More
  • Are EVs too quiet to be safe?
    June 12, 2019
    Concern is being expressed in the UK over the safety of low noise, electric vehicles. Children and those with poor sight are particularly at risk from electric vehicles, which are much quieter in operation than conventional vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.
    Read More
  • Innovative deformable speed bump
    June 28, 2013
    Spanish firm badennova is now offering a novel alternative to conventional speed bumps.
    Read More
  • Concrete barriers help to minimise accidents
    July 12, 2012
    Concrete barriers offer a highway safety solution - Mike Woof writes. Concrete safety barriers are being installed on many of Europe's major highways, particularly for use as centre lane dividers. The strength and durability of concrete barriers can help reduce the risk of cross over accidents, one of several topics raised at a conference in Brussels on concrete highway barriers organised by the European Concrete Paving Association, EUPAVE. The conference was opened by Yves Deceoene of the IRF's Belgian ex
    Read More

Highlighted Content