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Vibrations caused by a running car engine can lull drivers into a sleepy state within minutes of driving, according to a study.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowsiness is a major problem in the United States. It is estimated that one in 25 drivers over the age of 18 has fallen asleep at the wheel in the past 30 days. Drowsiness resulted in more than 72,000 accidents, 44,000 injuries and 800 deaths in 2013. But experts fear that the number of fatal collisions could reach 6,000.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne, Australia , have sought to discover why drowsy driving drowsy in the hope of preventing this behavior and reduce the number of accidents.
"When you're tired, it does not take much to start shaking your head and we found that the soft vibrations of the seats "Self" Stephen Robinson, author of the study and professor of psychology at RMIT University, said in a statement
that a vehicle like a car or truck works, it emits constant vibrations at low frequencies, according to the authors of the study published in the journal Ergonomics .
These small movements can even sleep those who are well rested and healthy, believe them researchers, by now subscribing to this story and more
To get to their theory, the researchers recruited 15 volunteers.They were invited to sit in a simulator virtual who recreated the experience of the co nduite on a two-lane monotonous road
In two trials, participants were exposed to low frequencies and no vibration, respectively. Their heart rate was measured throughout the one-hour test
The researchers found that the vibrations made the participants tired. This in turn made it more difficult for them to perform mental tasks. The nervous system has responded by changing the heart rate of the individual.
After 15 minutes of vibration, the volunteers showed signs of drowsiness. And after 30 minutes they were drowsy and had to strive to stay alert and treat their environment. Their drowsiness peaked after 60 minutes
Interestingly, research also suggested that vibrations at different frequencies could have the opposite effect and help keep people awake, explained Dr. Mohammad Fard, a professor. badociated with the RMIT engineering school. "We also want to look at a wider range of frequencies, to inform car designs that could potentially exploit these" good vibrations "," he said.
Prior to this, another study involving a larger group of participants was "The impact of health problems such as sleep apnea is also an important research topic," said Fard
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