Blue Lights To Reset Internal Clocks

holy_calamity writes "Researchers at RPI are testing the effects of putting blue LEDs inside cars to keep drivers alert. People driving through the night are much more likely to cause accidents because our circadian rhythms just want to sleep — blue light at around 450nm wavelength can fool them into thinking it's morning and keep them awake."

Is this really the answer?

[TibbonZero]

Yes, I know there are times that we've all had to drive with less sleep than we should have... but is this a good answer?
To me it would seem to inspire false confidence on the part of the driver, where they might think that they could stay up and not have to worry about falling asleep driving since they had their blue lights blinking or whatever.

I'm thinking that the real solution is making people in the public more aware of the dangers of driving with too little sleep. Everyone knows they shouldn't drink and drive (yet many still do) but not enough people realize how dangerous driving when tired is.

Most of all, i hope they don't put these in 18-wheelers are another way to squeeze yet more driving time out of the guys.

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Great, but what about chips in the windscreen

[zakezuke]

I'm not going to discount the possible correlation between certain wavelengths and sensing it's daylight. But it sounds problematic to me. One blue LED has amazing illumination power, so not only will it likely affect your night vision but it will illuminate all the flaws in your windscreen, as well as enhance the reflection of your self.

Those of us unfortunate enough to buy hardware with blue leds on it can share this fact, it's damned annoying.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[anagama]

So? Some activities make driving safer, some make it more dangerous. Nobody is disputing that driving is dangerous. Driving while intoxicated is more dangerous than driving while sober. Driving while talking on a cell is more dangerous than driving while paying attention. Driving while tired is more dangerous than driving while alert. Everyone understands the danger vs. utility aspect of driving. But there is no reason to exacerbate the danger.

As for blue lights in the car, I think it's potentially a bad idea. Blue light makes it hard to see in the dark. Red light doesn't affect night vision so much. Besides, I F*#$ing sick of all the blue lights gratuitously stuck all over the place -- like in the front of an otherwise nice quality DVD player. I'm sick of having to tape over blue lights or prop up DVD covers to right this idiocy about bright blue light.

And as for drivers with those ultra-blue blinding lights, I want to build an auto-tracking fully automatic BB gun (everyone knows driving is dangerous -- anyone remember Deathtrack from the bad old DOS days? loved that game).

Re:Is this really the answer?

[Vskye]

Most of all, i hope they don't put these in 18-wheelers are another way to squeeze yet more driving time out of the guys.

First off, your comment deems that you have never driven a 18-wheeler, Most company's back in the day taught you how to cheat on your log books so you can drive more than 500 miles a day. The first day I was hired, they taught me all of this. They push your ass to drive, and if you don't produce they fire your ass. Some good companies are not this way, granted... but to generalize this isn't a good thing. Ever drive 10 hours, then have to unload a 48' trailer by hand and then pick up a load and get sleep? It's a PITA, and that's why I don't do it anymore. And no, I've never crashed my truck.

The only problem...

[Zadaz]

The only problem is that blue light ruins your night vision, which would conceivably cause more accidents.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[EvanED]

Most traffic accidents are caused by sober drivers.

Most drivers are sober. You should look at the rate of accidents of drunk and sober drivers; I have a suspicion of what you would find.

Re:Technology For Dickheads

[the grace of R'hllor]

My car turns on the lights automatically when it turns dark, or when I drive into a tunnel. A few people forget to do this. If for some reason ambient light in the tunnel is sufficient to not trigger those lights, yet still low enough to require them, *I* am responsible for the decrease in safety. That does not invalidate the feature; it's a convenience.

The luxury model of this car (which I don't have) has Lane Departure Warning System. Checks the road markings. If you're crossing lanes on a highway without a turn signal enabled, it vibrates your chair in the appropriate direction. Likewise, if you drift into oncoming traffic, it's still your own fault.

Not everything requires a three-page disclaimer, American.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[yurivr]

I agree. But what about emergency situations or military applications? Seems like you could build these right into a HUD in situations where you need to be extra toasty. Day to day, if this takes off it will cause at least as many accidents as it resolves. Your bioclock exists for a reason. I visited St. Petersburg a few years back and experienced 3 weeks of "white nights." I got headaches, nausea and dizzyness after a few days. By the time I got used to it there was night again. It's never about the idea, but the implementation.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[Anonymous Coward]

*My* suspicion is that you'll find that it is often the same drivers that are likely to cause accidents, regardless of wether they're sober. In other words, someone who tends to drive safely when sober is likely to do so when he's drunk as well and excercise even greater care exactly because he's drunk; while someone who already drives agressively when sober is probably going to be even more stupid when drunk, and thus have an even greater chance of causing accidents. No scientific basis whatsoever for this, just my own experience and observations.

You have a couple misspellings. Let me take care of them for you:

I want it to be true, so I'm going to say it is.

There. Fixed it.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[matria]

Please let me know when you get behind the wheel so I can make sure to get off the road. The fool who assures himself that he drives just as well when he's been drinking is the most dangerous fool on the road.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[electrictroy]

In most U.S. states, if you ride in the "passing lane" you can get ticketed by a cop.

That's because the passing lane is supposed to remain open for... yep you guessed it... passing. If you're blocking that lane, then you're being inconsiderate towards other people (and may get ticketed). Move over and let others use the passing lane for its stated purpose.

Re:Does this mean that ...

[electrictroy]

I feel awake because I get 9 hours sleep every night.

That's the real problem in today's modern world --- people are staying up too late & not getting enough hours sack time. Then the lack of sleep catches up, and they nod off in the office (or worse, their car).

Re:Is this really the answer?

[westlake]

someone who tends to drive safely when sober is likely to do so when he's drunk as well and excercise even greater care exactly because he's drunk;

This is loopy notion even for Slashdot.

The drunk is not in control of anything.

His response time is lousy and his judgment is worse. It is quite impossible for him to "exercise greater care."

Re:Does this mean that ...

[plague3106]

I agree. We're not birds, you don't throw a towel over a person's head and they instantly doze off. People fall asleep behind the wheel because it's time for them to sleep.

Re:Does this mean that ...

[Pope]

Try doing that same schedule when you're 35.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[flyingfsck]

"Nearly 30% of all fatal accidents involving large trucks in the US happen during the hours of darkness"

Hmm, I think they should rather work on the 70% of accidents that happen during the day.

Re:Does this mean that ...

[afex]

" (but being just about fresh out of school, I realize I probably need to "pay my dues" for a while)." just wanted to quickly chime in here - i'm not sure what your major is (i'm a BSEE) but do NOT continue with that mentality. I'm 3 years out of school and i LOVE my job. absolutely LOVE it. (i'm a software/hardware/embedded systems design engineer at a small firm) here's some knowledge i wish i would have had when i grad'd: 1) Do NOT assume that you can't like your job because you're fresh 2) accept that the first job you get may not be the right one. 3) do NOT be afraid to leave your job if you don't like it. (*but you probably should have something lined up if you do leave...) 4) be confident - the senior engineers and the new engineers at my firm get along GREAT. we understand that newbies know some things that the oldies dont (wireless stuff, dsp, etc) and the oldies know a lot of things we dont (low band RF, power supply design, heavy analog stuff) sorry just wanted to quickly nip that in the bud : )

Re:Is this really the answer?

[Zakabog]

I often take random road trips out west (I live in NY) with all my stuff to go hiking, biking (put the bikes on a bike rack in the back), climbing. Things that would be impossible to do without my car. Unless I rode my bike across the country (boss wouldn't be happy with me taking off a few months), or shipped everything out west and took a train (which would be incredibly expensive and not worth it.) Plus taking a train I wouldn't get to stop where I want to take photos or explore (I've pulled over to the side of the highway to climb a mountain before) or just look around. I think the car is one of the greatest tools we have. Plus these lights are for truck drivers who are driving all night anyway.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[ShatteredArm]

And as for drivers with those ultra-blue blinding lights, I want to build an auto-tracking fully automatic BB gun (everyone knows driving is dangerous -- anyone remember Deathtrack from the bad old DOS days? loved that game).

Gah! I hate those blasted bright headlights! Here's a tip for you: If the car in front of you actually casts a shadow when its own headlights are on, your headlights may be too bright. These should be illegal--they're a complete safety hazard.