Bestuurderscontrolesystemen voor vermoeidheid en rijden onder ...

Summary
Drowsiness and driving while impaired are two important causes of traffic accidents. In
both cases the driver is not capable of executing the driving task safely. By applying
vehicle technology, the traffic safety can be improved by warning the driver when a
dangerous situation occurs.
In the first part of this report vehicle technology that warns the driver in case of
drowsiness is discussed. In the second part, technical aspects of alcohol locks are
considered.
Drowsiness, which results in microsleep or even falling asleep while driving, is a problem
that mainly occurs in the goods transport. Due to the high work pressure in this sector,
drivers often drive too long, which results in sleepiness. This causes accidents. The
problem was observed in the fifties, and resulted in the installation of the tachograph in
trucks. This instrument registers the ride and rest times of the driver. It makes control of
the working hours possible and prevents driving too long.
In the seventies the tachograph became mandatory in Europe for heavy duty vehicles
(trucks and busses). For each driver ride times were registered analogue, by writing time
and vehicle speed on a chart. A new European directive makes the digital tachograph
mandatory in new vehicles from August 4 th 2004. Ride and rest times are recorded
digitally, and misuse will be decreased.
Data on the effect of the tachograph on traffic safety were not found.
Besides the control on driving times, technology observing the driver can be applied. One
may detect, whether his attention to the traffic decreases due to drowsiness, based on
the drivers behaviour. A system, with a camera and image analysis, that traces the eye
movements can detect whether there is a risk of falling asleep. Several manufacturers
are developing this type of technology.
Also based on the driving behaviour one can detect whether a dangerous traffic situation
may occur. When unintended leaving of the lane is detected, a warning to the driver can
be given. Lane departure warning systems are offered by a number of manufacturers
(trucks).
One may wonder whether these systems contribute to traffic safety. Possibly these
systems may result in risk compensating behaviour, by drivers who rely too much on the
system.
For preventing drunk driving, alcohol locks can be used. An alcohol lock prevents the
vehicle from starting when the alcohol content in the drivers blood is to high.
When this technology will be applied, one has to consider not only technical aspects. The
application of alcohol locks needs to be embedded in a broader program, that also takes
into account behavioural and legal aspects. Alcohol locks are installed in vehicles of
drivers who were caught on drunk driving. They have to be supervised while the alcohol
lock is in the vehicle. From several projects it is seen that drivers take their former
habits, once the alcohol lock is removed from their vehicle.
Steunpunt Verkeersveiligheid 5 RA-2004-45