Here's To Defeating Drowsy Driving

Darren Tran To drive is a privilege, not a right. I was 17 years old when I was in my first accident. I was waiting to turn on a red light when a truck going 55 mph rear ended my minivan, sending me flying across the intersection. I was lucky enough to avoid any major injury but from then on I became more conscious of my driving and that of those around me. The driver was a nurse who had just gotten off a 24-hour shift at the hospital and fell asleep at the wheel. Before the accident, I had no idea that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Being a good driver does not just mean knowing all the traffic laws but also being responsible and making sure that they are well-rested before they get on the road. On a long highway or a dark road, every driver admits that they have switched to autopilot for seconds or minutes at a time where they can be completely unaware of their surroundings. I realized that this kind of behavior can be especially dangerous and I set out to find ways that I could help make driving safer. In the year since my accident, I have used my inventive spirit to help prevent other victims of drowsy driving. The most important prevention of accidents is to improve drivers ed in the decisions before the driver even turns on the ignitions. This includes getting enough sleep or abstaining from drugs and alcohol. However, I realize that many people already know the risks of driving under such impaired mental states but are willing to take the chances. I decided that tackling sleep deprived driving was going to be the first problem that I would try to resolve. I prototyped an oil diffuser powered by the USB cord in the car that would release stimulative scents such as peppermint on a periodic basis that could help keep people awake and alert while on the road. I have since spread the prototype to friends and family who support my idea and educated them on what it means to be a safe driver. I admit that it is not the perfect solution, but reducing drowsy driving could save upwards of a thousand lives each year. That is one step in the right direction towards making our roads safer for all drivers.