News

A driver fatigue monitor designed to alert drivers to the onset of tiredness before they notice it themselves is being launched in the UK. SafeDrive Europe, importer and distributor for US manufacturer Attention Tech-nologies, describes the DD850 as a real-time camera and computer that detects the driver's level of PERCLOS. This is the percent of time a driver's eyes are closed and is widely accepted as an early sign of drowsiness.

Once a safe percentage has been exceeded, audible and  visible indicators are sent to the driver. "We are not an alarm clock, but instead are providing the driver with an early warning to allow them to make the necessary plans to pull over in a safe place, have a short nap and drink a caffeinated beverage," says sales director Ryan Lee.

The company is targeting night-time drivers as those recognised to be most at risk from fatigue. "We are now receiving strong interest for the product, particularly from fleet and transport managers who may have previously been drivers themselves and are well aware of the dangers associated with tired driving," Lee continues.

"It is our job to increase awareness among the other decision-makers who have probably experienced driver fatigue themselves personally, but not while on a professional driving activity." The system was developed at the Carnegie Mellon Institute in Pennsylvania by Dr Richard Grace and has been validated by the US Department of Transportation as an accurate indicator of fatigue.  

The monitor is available as a portable version that plugs into a cigarette lighter, with permanent installations also an option. A lorry driver convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after falling asleep at the wheel has had his driving ban reduced from three years to two years after the discovery he was suffering from sleep apnoea at the time of the accident.

Hayden Bailey, 55, of Birchgrove Close, Newport, Gwent, was also sentenced to 10 months in prison after killing 69-year-old Leonard Nicholls and seriously injuring his 68-year-old wife Evelyn by hitting their car on the other side of the A48 Eastern Avenue in Cardiff in April last year.