Transport Support is please to announce the launch of a new Driver Fatigue Warning system that actively tracks the eyes and facial features of the driver to detect the early signs of driver fatigue. Sleepiness and driving is a dangerous combination. Most people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving but don’t realise that drowsy driving can be just as fatal. Like alcohol, sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases your risk of crashing.
It’s nearly impossible to determine with certainty the cause of a fatal crash where drowsy driving is suspected. However, there are a number of clues at a crash scene that tell investigators that the person fell asleep at the wheel. For example, drowsy driving accidents usually involve only one vehicle where the driver is alone and the injuries tend to be serious or fatal. Also, skid marks or evidence of other evasive maneuvers are usually absent from the drowsy driving crash scene.
Definitions of drowsy driving or driver fatigue rely on how the concept of “fatigue” is defined. Fatigue is a general term commonly used to describe the experience of being “sleepy,” “tired,” “drowsy,” or “exhausted.” While all of these terms have different meanings in research and clinical settings, they tend to be used interchangeably in the traffic safety and transportation fields.
Sleepiness or Fatigue Causes the Following:
• Impaired reaction time, judgment and vision
• Problems with information processing and short-term memory
• Decreased performance, vigilance and motivation
• Increased moodiness and aggressive behaviours
The new Driver Fatigue Warning System from Transport Support detects these signs and gives and audio/visual alarm to the driver to alert them of their fatigued state. If they continue to drive and show signs of fatigue the system will continue to alarm. The system also features an output port which can be used to trigger external warning devices and telematics systems so that driver fatigue and alerts can be remotely monitored.
Its compact dimensions of only 92x24x46mm and 80g means that it can easily be mounted into almost any vehicle on 12 or 24v.
Drivers normally aren’t aware that they are fatigued until the actual accident happens. One of the most important functions of the early warning system is to let the drivers understand they are actually in fatigue driving and increase their alertness level. Once the system detects the driver is under fatigue driving, it will send a warning signal immediately to the driver based on PERCLOS (A Valid Psycho-physiological Measure of Alertness) analysis.
Under some circumstances, a driver probably will fall in sleep suddenly due to fatigue driving; the early warning system will make a sharp and loud sound to wake the driver at that critical time.