Tiredness and fatigue are known to be one of the major reasons for a dominant number of road accidents, every year. It is hard to determine the exact number of collisions which are a result of the driver being tired or sleepy. However, a research estimates that up to a quarter of serious road accidents including those resulting in loss of life, are caused by drowsiness.

It’s true that anyone who sits behind the wheel when feeling lethargic poses a threat to themselves as well as others on the road. Though, for HGV drivers there is a greater risk factor. This is because their vehicle is heavier than the others’ and they happen to drive for long hours at a stretch.

With these factors in mind, a high-tech headgear by the name of SmartCap has been introduced. Its aim is to make Lorries safer on the roads. On the outside, it looks like a regular baseball cap but inside, there is a pool of tiny sensors. These are able to detect drowsiness in the wearer’s brain by monitoring brainwaves. It then transfers this information to a Bluetooth device or shows it on a dashboard.

Consequences of Driving When Tired

There are strict laws in the UK with regards to falling asleep when driving. It has been seen that usually people who work in shifts, socialise late at night or start very early in the morning, tend to fall victim to driving when tired. Almost one out of every five crashes on the motorways and long, dreary roads may be the fault of fatigued drivers. It is recommended to never eat a heavy meal just before starting a journey as it can cause drowsiness. Certain medicines also cause sleepiness. It is best to always check the label before taking any medicine when planning to drive.

Using the SmartCap to help monitor tiredness can be very helpful for motorists especially HGV drivers. Driving when tired is never an excuse.