How vibrations in cars make drivers sleepy

AUDIO: Ambient music

VISUAL: Generic shots of cars on roads and traffic with text layered on top

TEXT: Tired drivers are a deadly hazard on our roads.

1 in 5 fatal crashes involve driver fatigue.

And 1 in 5 Australians say they’ve fallen asleep at the wheel.

But it’s not just lack of sleep making us drowsy.

Turns out the vibrations that cars make when you drive increase your risk of nodding off.

VISUAL: Shots of the vibration research facility show a volunteer stepping up onto a platform with a car seat, steering wheel, and a screen which simulates a driving experience. Text is layered on top.

TEXT: Researchers at RMIT University tested volunteers on a vibrating simulator.

They discovered it takes just 15 minutes of driving to start feeling sleepy.

In 30 minutes, the drowsiness seriously affects your ability to concentrate and stay alert.

There’s growing evidence that physical vibration contributes to feelings of sleepiness.

But we don’t know enough about how drivers are affected.

VISUAL: Professor Stephen Robinson stands in front of the vibration simulator to be interviewed.

PROF. ROBINSON SPEAKS: We believe that what’s happening is that the vibrations are causing the brain waves in the person to start to become synchronised and putting them into an early stage of sleep.

VISUAL: Shots of the vibration simulator and the volunteer being tested with text layered on top.

TEXT: The researchers hope their findings can be used by manufacturers to improve the design of car seats, to fight vibration-induced sleepiness, and keep drivers awake.

VISUAL: End screen transition with RMIT logo

Research has found the natural vibrations of cars make people sleepier, affecting concentration and alertness levels just 15 minutes after drivers get behind the wheel.

Find out more: 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2018/jul/vibrations-cars-drivers-sleepy