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."

Comments

Blue wavelengths = No night vision as well

[spazmonkey]

Blue wavelengths also have the nasty side effect of destroying night vision almost instantly, fooling the pupils to contract - likely for the very same reason it fools the rest of the body into thinking its daylight too.

Not a desirable or safe side effect when making something specifically intended to be used for driving in the dark. It's why the military uses red lights in their vehicle cabins and cockpits.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[bint]

More careful drivers won't drive at all when drunk. Just *my* own experience. As for statistics:

"For all Americans between 5 and 35 years of age, motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death. Over 50% of these accidents are caused by alcohol impaired drivers."

from http://www.duipictures.com/statisti.htm with the note "From statistics complied by the U. S. Dept. of Transportation and the N. H. Department of Safety." Perhaps there is more to read there.

Re:Is this really the answer?

[Jason Levine]

There's a standard drunk driving test that I've seen done many times. I believe even Mythbusters did it once. First, you drive through an obstacle course of cones sober. Then you have a few beers (or some other alcoholic beverage) and drive through the same course. Invariably, you knock over more cones when drunk than when sober. Being intoxicated can wreck havoc with your sense of timing and space, which isn't a good thing when maneuvering a two ton pile of steel at 30mph or more past other two ton piles of steel. On the obstacle course it is just a matter of some flattened cones. On the road, it's a life ended. Is it possible to be drunk and still drive without incident? Sure. However, I still wouldn't say that a drunk driver could ever be considered a safe driver.