Driver alarm could save lives

A
DRIVER Fatigue Alarm that alerts motorists to the dangers of micro-sleeps and
the need to pull over and take a break is now available in Ireland for the
first time.

A
micro-sleep is a brief unintentional loss of attention which may involve
nodding off or a blank stare and typically lasts between two to 30 seconds.

The
Driver Fatigue Alarm, which is a lightweight motion sensor worn behind the ear,
triggers an alarm if a driver’s head tilts forward into a life threatening
micro-sleep. It then warns the driver to pull over and rest. It is an early
warning system that could potentially save a life.

Driver
Fatigue Alarms, which motorists in Australia have been using extensively, are
now available for the first time in Ireland. They are available exclusively at
Topaz sites throughout the country, and are on sale for

?¬29.95. All profits
raised through sales of the alarm will be donated to Temple Street Children’s
University Hospital.

There
are two models available – one which emits a loud alarm and the other that
works by giving a strong vibration alert. The sensitivity of the alarm is
easily adjusted by simply altering its position on the ear while the battery
operated alarms come pre-installed and ready to use.

Driving
while sleep deprived, especially late at night and in the early morning,
increases the risk of having a micro-sleep and losing control of a vehicle,
though it can happen at any time of the day or night. Road safety experts believe Driver Fatigue is
a factor in up to 20 per cent of serious road accidents here in Ireland.

“This
device is a potential lifesaver,

? said Thomas Farrell, who has the franchise
for the Driver Fatigue Alarms in Ireland.

“Four thousand people are killed per
year throughout Europe because of driver fatigue. The bottom line is that
anyone feeling tired should pull over, have a coffee and take a break. However
tired drivers often do not realise they are so fatigued and that’s where the
Driver Fatigue Alarm comes in. In effect it can be a motorist’s drive buddy.

?

Safety
studies show that if a driver persists in fighting sleep while driving, the
impairment level is the same as driving while over the drink drive limit.
During a four second micro sleep a car travelling at 100km/hr will travel 111
meters while completely out of the driver’s control.

One
of the symptoms of fatigue is the decreased ability to judge one’s level of
tiredness. Because of this it is very important to watch out for symptoms of
fatigue which may include some or all of the following; yawning, stretching, sore
eyes, restlessness, irritability, poor concentration, slowed reactions or
boredom.