China uses lasers on roads to solve deadly driving problem

To solve the deadly problem of driving, China is using lasers on roads to refresh tired drivers with strong visual stimuli. The problem of drowsiness behind the wheel is a serious danger and the cause of many fatal accidents that kill thousands of people every year. Long-term driving on monotonous and dark roads is a phenomenon called hypnosis... The post China uses lasers on the roads to solve the deadly problem of driving appeared.

0 Posted by: Amir Abbas Karimi on October 24, 1405 at 18:49

To solve the deadly problem of driving, China is using lasers on roads to refresh tired drivers with strong visual stimuli.

The problem of drowsiness behind the wheel is a serious danger and the cause of many fatal accidents that kill thousands of people every year. Long-term driving on monotonous and dark roads creates a phenomenon called highway hypnosis, during which the driver's mind becomes numb and loses concentration. Chinese authorities are now taking an innovative yet controversial approach to deal with this problem.

colorful lasers; China's new solution to deal with sleepiness of drivers

Chinese authorities have installed powerful laser systems on sections of the nearly 1,600-kilometer Qingdao-Yinchuan highway. At night, these systems emit strings of colorful and intense lights in the sky and above the cars. The main purpose of this light show is severe sensory disturbance; This means that these dazzling lights break the monotonous darkness of the road and force the tired brains of drivers to be alert again in order to avoid deviating and falling asleep behind the wheel.

Engineers have ensured that these lasers are placed in such a way that they do not pose a hazard. Instead of shining the rays directly on the windows of the cars, the projectors are installed on the existing steel platforms and the lasers are directed upwards and towards the sky. This method creates a light show above the cars. These lasers are currently only used in high-risk areas such as long, straight roads where drivers are more prone to distraction or accidents. The lasers are switched on and off alternately to maintain their visual freshness and to prevent drivers from getting used to them.

Are these lasers really effective against drowsiness?

Despite the attractive and futuristic appearance of these neon highways, traffic safety experts are still unsure about the actual effectiveness of these lasers in saving the lives of drivers. The lack of objective and experimental data on the reduction of accidents is one of the biggest weaknesses of this plan. No independent research has yet been published that can prove that these lasers reduce the number of nighttime accidents.

One of the biggest criticisms is that the lasers themselves may introduce a new hazard: driver distraction. A tired and disoriented driver suddenly confronted with bright magenta beams of light may brake in panic or stare at the sky instead of focusing on the road. Social media users have also raised concerns about potential risks for drivers with vision problems such as astigmatism and epilepsy, as well as general distraction caused by the lasers. Until comprehensive and documented studies show a reduction in fatal crashes, this project is walking the fine line between innovation and recklessness.