Simple Technology Devices to Prevent Truckers From Falling Asleep at the Wheel

By L. Winslow 

One really tragic and needless occurrence that we can surely do away with in our Nation is accidents by truck driver's who fall asleep at the wheel. So the Online Think Tank set out to investigate this problem and look at some research. The actual problem is not as common as you might think and the mass media hysteria over the issues is completely blown out of proportion.

Yet that did not deter the T-5 Group (The Trucking Think Tank Team) a division of the Online Think Tank from looking into how we can prevent these deaths and accidents on our Highways. One interesting invention that the T-5 Group ran across to solve this problem was a simple device that the Driver could wear on their heads around their ears.

The question is would he or she actually wear it? If the driver starts to tilt their head the buzzer goes off and wakes them up. Not a bad solution, yet it might give the person a heart attack when it does go off. These devices are not on the market as of yet, but probably will be soon. It is a relatively low tech solution to a very serious problem.

The Welkin Nap-Zapper or Self-Defense Unti-Drowsy Alarm perhaps could save lives and be sold at truck stops like Pilot, Flying J, Petro and TA. Although the T-5 Group does not specifically endorse products, it appears these little units might be worthy of mention until better technology can be integrated into the Future Trucks.

The real answer of course is not to get behind the wheel if you are tired, fatigued or drowsy, as this puts yourself and everyone around you in unnecessary jeopardy. A more comprehensive plan needs to be in place rather than incessant band-aids of this real challenge. We need more truck highway adjacent or rest stop parking in the United States and Canada. Until that happens we will continue to see unfortunate accidents, which drive up insurance costs in the industry and kill motorists and our drivers.

L. Winslow is a Transportation and Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entrepreneur. Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Winslow