This article highlights the issue of driving when tired, which contributes to road accidents. To address this, inventor Vlad Ilyin created the ‘Steer’ bracelet, which monitors heart rate and sweat levels to deliver a powerful reminder to stay awake.

Did You Know?

Studies suggest that almost 20 percent of road accidents on major roads are caused by drivers falling asleep.

In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 13% of drivers admit to falling asleep when driving. In the U.S.A., more than 6,000 people each year die in sleep-related crashes. The problem is particularly bad with professional truck drivers. Research has suggested that many long-distance truck drivers can be subject to something called macro sleep. This is where a driver falls asleep for anything between a fraction of a second to 30 seconds. Even a tiny lapse in concentration can lead to a fatal accident.

An inventor called Vlad Ilyin had an idea about how to prevent drivers from falling asleep. He designed an electric bracelet that vibrates and delivers a small electric shock when the drivers become sleepy. The electric shock is not a strong one. It does not hurt, but the driver will feel it. The bracelet is called ‘Steer’ and it includes 16 sensors. These analyse the driver’s heart rate every two seconds. The bracelet also calculates how much the driver is sweating – a strong indication of whether someone is beginning to fall asleep.

You may argue there are better ways to make sure a driver stays awake. Some would suggest that playing loud music is a good idea for a sleepy driver. However, there is evidence that loud noises might not stop you from sleeping. What’s more, loud music can damage your ears.

Another way to stay awake is to drink strong coffee because it contains caffeine which may keep you awake. However, caffeine can be bad for you, especially if you consume too much of it. Perhaps a bracelet like the Steer with its small electric shock is the best solution.

In an ideal world, no one should be in charge of a moving vehicle when they are sleepy. It is irresponsible. Perhaps there should be strict laws that will persuade drivers not to turn on their vehicle’s engine at all when they think there is a chance of them falling asleep. In a competitive world though, where time means money, it’s unlikely that drivers will slow down and stop just because they are feeling tired. Maybe they should choose the shock tactics that Steer offers. What do you think?

UPDATE: Steer was launched through Kickstarter in 2017. The project has since closed and the bracelet no longer appears to be commercially available.

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