The vibrations of the car make drivers sleepy: study

The natural vibrations of cars make people more sleepy, affecting concentration and alertness only 15 minutes after drivers get behind the wheel, according to a study.

With about 20% of fatal road accidents, researchers hope their findings can be used by automakers to improve car seat design to help drivers stay awake.

The effects of physical vibration on the conductors were not well understood, despite the growing evidence that vibration contributes to drowsiness. We are tired, so it does not take much to start nodding and we found that the soft vibrations of the car seats while driving can put your brain and your body to sleep, "said Stephen Robinson, RMIT University in Australia. "Our study shows constant low frequency vibrations – the kind we know when we drive cars and trucks – are gradually causing drowsiness, even in people who are well rested and healthy," Robinson said.

After 15 minutes of driving, drowsiness has already begun to set in. In half an hour, this has a significant impact on your ability to stay focused and alert. "To improve road safety, we hope that future car seat designs can incorporate features that disrupt this rocking and fighting effect."

Researchers tested 15 volunteers in a virtual simulator that reproduces Driving experience on a two-lane monotonous highway

The simulator was installed on a platform that could be put into vibration different frequencies, with the volunteers tested twice – once with low frequency vibrations (4-7Hz) and once without vibration.

Vibration-induced fatigue makes it psychologically and physiologically more difficult to perform mental tasks, so the body's nervous system is active to compensate, resulting in changes in heart rate.

Looking at heart rate variability (HRV) of volunteers, researchers were able to obtain The objective degree of drowsiness that they experienced the 60-minute test progressed.

Less than 15 minutes after the onset of the vibration test, the volunteers showed signs of drowsiness. Within 30 minutes, drowsiness was important, requiring considerable effort to maintain alertness and cognitive performance.

Drowsiness increased gradually during the test, reaching a maximum of 60 minutes.