Vibrating seats could cut road accidents

Vibrating seats could cut road accidents

We could soon be driving around on mint scented, vibrating seats if research by Oxford University psychologists into ways to reduce the number of car accidents, is taken on board by car manufacturers.
The study has looked at the way senses like touch and smell effect us, in an attempt to find ways to encourage drivers to be more cautious behind the wheel. According to Dr Charles Spence, a psychologist at the university, drowsiness and distraction are the main causes of accidents and deaths in road accidents. He believes that vibrating seats, belts or foot pedals could give drivers subtle warnings to avert danger.
'Touch is completely unused at the moment, 'Dr Spence told the British Association's annual conference in Dublin, 'We think the best thing in the future will be to combine vibration plus auditory warning signals.'
The psychologist says that a combination is the only way forward as auditory signals alone often fail to get the drivers attention. For example, a vibrating seat can inform the driver that their music is too loud whereas an auditory warning would not be heard.
Vibration could also be used to alert drivers to dangers like the slowing of traffic ahead or that a car behind is too close, while citrus and peppermint scents could keep people calm and alert.
With funding from unnamed Japanese car manufacturers, Dr Spence has been testing the impact of vibration on drivers and found that reaction times improved by 150 to 200 milliseconds. If introduced this could lead to a 10-15 per cent reduction in common types of accidents. He also said that car parts manufacturer Denso has predicted vibration will be a standard feature in cars by 2020.
'This research represents a whole new way of thinking about the warning signals for car drivers,' Dr Spence added.
With compensation on the tip of most injured driver's tongues today, it’s uncertain how car manufacturers will respond to Dr Spence's findings. Most manufacturers have been cautious about introducing computerised safety features in cars for fear of compensation claims, if things go wrong.
Alison Marson from Car Accident Advice Line www.car-accident-claim.com, a personal injury firm who helps people who have been involved in car accidents and motorbike accidents in the UK to make compensation claims, welcomes the news. ‘Everyday we see the impact that car accidents have on the lives of the people and families involved. Some of these ideas may sound a little unconventional, but we welcome anything that improves car safety and helps prevent some of the road accidents each year, which result in nearly 250,000 people being killed or injured.’
So, it sounds like a case of watch this space. Although some of these feature could be standard in our cars sooner than we think. Citroen’s C4 already boasts a Lane Departure Warning System that vibrates the driver's seat if they cross a lane too slowly. The model is also the first family car to come with an in-built air freshener system offering a range of scents designed to relax and energise the driver.

ENDS
Notes for editors. Car Accident Advice Line provide free legal advice and assistance to people who have been involved in car accidents and motorbike accidents, that were not their fault
For more information call the press office at Car Accident Advice Line on 0808 143 43 42, or visit www.car-accident-claim.com