The natural vibrations of cars make people sleepier, affecting concentration and alertness levels just 15 minutes after drivers get behind the wheel, according to new RMIT University research.<\/p>\n
Chief Investigator Professor Stephen Robinson says the effects of physical vibration on drivers are not well understood, despite growing evidence that vibration contributes to feelings of sleepiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know one in five Australians have fallen asleep at the wheel and we know that drowsy driving is a significant issue for road safety,\u201d Robinson said. \u201cWhen you\u2019re tired, it doesn\u2019t take much to start nodding off and we\u2019ve found that the gentle vibrations made by car seats as you drive can lull your brain and body.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study shows that steady vibrations at low frequencies progressively induce sleepiness even among people who are well-rested and healthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 15 minutes of getting in the car, drowsiness has already begun to take hold. In half an hour, it\u2019s making a significant impact on your ability to stay concentrated and alert,\u201d said Robinson. \u201cTo improve road safety, we hope that future car seat designs can build in features that disrupt this lulling effect and fight vibration-induced sleepiness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Mohammad Fard says more work is needed to build on the findings and examine how vibrations affected people across different demographics.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to study a larger cohort, particularly to investigate how age may affect someone\u2019s vulnerability to vibration-induced drowsiness as well as the impact of health problems such as sleep apnea,\u201d he said. \u201cOur research also suggests that vibrations at some frequencies may have the opposite effect and help keep people awake. So we also want to examine a wider range of frequencies, to inform car designs that could potentially harness those \u2018good vibrations\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n