Nationwide Vehicle Contracts explores innovative technologies designed to alert drowsy drivers and prevent accidents.
Drowsy driving is a serious issue that poses a risk to road safety. According to Brake, driver fatigue contributes to about 4% of fatal road collisions and 2% of all collisions yearly.
Fortunately, advancements in technology have paved the way for innovative solutions to tackle drowsy driving head-on.
In this guide, we'll explore the role of technology in preventing drowsy driving accidents, focusing on tools such as driver monitoring systems, fatigue detection software, and smart vehicle features.
Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS)
In the days before technology, drivers had various methods to keep themselves alert when behind the wheel. From coffee and conversation to blasting out the stereo, we all had our preferred method. Nowadays, this is not needed.
Driver monitoring systems aim to keep drivers alert and aware of their surroundings. It uses a driver-facing camera to see the driver's face, and once it's created an initial profile of the driver's normal face, it monitors their condition.
Whether they're blinking more, their eyes are closing, or their head is beginning to tilt, the system will detect this and attempt to capture the driver's attention.
There are different ways DMS will attempt to alter the driver:
- Audio alert - the system will beep to get the driver's attention.
- Visual indicator - a symbol will appear on the instrument cluster.
- Haptic feedback - the steering wheel will begin to vibrate or the seat will bolster to help the driver refocus on the road.
Fatigue Detection Software
Fatigue detection software is similar to driver monitoring systems in that it monitors the driver, but it also monitors their driving style.
It looks into their steering behaviour to find signs of inconsistent steering and also considers the overall movement of the vehicle, including factors like lane departure, sudden acceleration, and other deviations.
Driver detection software employs machine learning to adapt and continuously improve its accuracy over time. It collects data on how the driver drives when in a normal state and correlates them with instances of drowsiness.
If it notices drowsy driving habits, it will alert the driver in the same way as driver monitoring.
Smart Vehicle Features
Most new vehicles come with loads of driver safety features, which can class them as a 'smart vehicle'. Smart vehicles use various safety systems to prevent drowsy driving accidents, such as:
- Lane departure warnings - This system detects lane makers and alerts you when a tire touches a lane marker.
- Adaptive cruise control - Unlike normal cruise control, adaptive cruise control adjusts the car's speed automatically to help maintain a safe following distance to the car in front and ensure you stay within the speed limit.
- Collision avoidance systems - Collision avoidance systems use sensors, radars, and cameras to detect objects on the road that may cause a collision. Once detected, they provide a warning to alert the driver.
Conclusion
In-car technology is superb nowadays, and as it continues to evolve, the fight against drowsy driving receives powerful reinforcement.
Driver monitoring systems, fatigue detection software, and smart vehicle features are pivotal in keeping our roads safe.
By embracing these innovations and using them correctly, the likelihood of an accident occurring from drowsy driving will be massively reduced.
Looking for more blogs about modern car tech? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has produced a range of blogs, such as How Artificial Intelligence is Preventing Accidents and the Top 10 Coolest Features You Can Get with a Lease.
We are also one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers, offering a range of leasing deals to suit your every need. Our many services include our Fast Lease service, which comes with rapid delivery, and our Used Car Leasing service, which offers second-hand cars.
