Road Tests

A safety device that detects and alerts drivers of fatigue is in the final stages of development. The system, which has been developed by Volvo Trucks, monitors the way in which the driver operates the vehicle, emitting an audible warning if it detects a particular pattern of movement changes.

So far the truck maker has only conducted trials on its Gothenburg test track, but this is about to change now that permission has been granted by the Swedish government to take the research  to the open road. Lars-Göran Löwenadler, safety director at Volvo Trucks, says:

"The system has reached a stage where all that remains to be done is a final check. The point is to provide a warning at the right moment, but not unnecessarily. In order for the tests to be as credible and as realistic as possible, we would like to drive on actual roads as there are simply no test tracks that are adequate enough."

But there are plenty of restrictions: the sleep-deprived driver will be behind the wheel of a dual-controlled truck, and the second driver will be poised to take over the driving the truck will only be permitted to drive on selected dual carriageways, and will be equipped with rotating warning lamps and followed by a car that will alert other motorists that the test is taking place. Driver fatigue is shown to be responsible for more than 20% of traffic accidents.