Drowsy Driver Alert: The Accessory that Could Save Your Life

There are countless campaigns to raise public awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, speeding or taking drugs (legal or otherwise) before driving. But one of the top causes of serious accidents in Canada is plain old drowsiness. It’s an insidious enemy that hits when you least expect it. It can strike anytime, anywhere. And you don’t need to drive far to be affected by this silent killer.

An increasing number of manufacturers are equipping their vehicles with drowsy driver alerts that tell you when it’s time to pull in to a rest stop, down a coffee and only resume driving when you’re feeling fully alert again.

• Also: Blind Spot Detection System: Your Trusty Co-Pilot
• Also: Cars that Intelligently Avoid Collisions: An Increasingly Common Phenomenon

How do these systems work? They analyze driver behaviour and determine if the car starts veering or changing speeds for no reason, or if the driver suddenly corrects its trajectory. These factors point to a dopey driver. In most cases, an icon lights up on the dashboard, though some vehicles also emit a sound to grab your attention and encourage you to take a break.

If you find yourself yawning at the wheel or feeling your eyelids droop, it’s a good idea to make a pit stop. When you force yourself to keep driving, that’s when inattentiveness and even momentary lapses in consciousness occur. And we all know how dangerous that can be. Fortunately, many of the sensors added to newer cars can detect unconventional driving patterns. In fact, there are even special earpieces that can alert drivers when they’re nodding off.