Doze-Alert, a device that combats “drowsy driving”

 

One of the unexpected perks of writing this blog has been that I have been learning new things while I do research for blog articles. 

Today, for example, I ran across a one liner about a device called Doze-Alert while researching the ideal length of a nap.  I still can’t believe that I never heard of it in all these years I have been dealing with Narcolepsy.  It is awesome! :-)

What is this awesome Doze-Alert?  The Sav-A-Life Doze-Alert is a device that slips behind one ear.  When your head falls forward as it does when you fall asleep or nod off, the device will make a buzzing noise, causing you to wake up and bring your head back up.  Then, knowing you are too sleepy to drive, you will be able to pull over ASAP and take a nap or let someone else drive, as falling asleep while driving is extremely dangerous.

The good news is that the device is reasonably priced (at least, it is in my opinion). The device is only $40, plus $15 for batteries. You can also adjust what angle your head needs to be at for the device to go off, which is helpful.

Here is a picture of the device:

The device is not designed for Narcoleptics or people with sleep disorders.  Rather, it is meant to be used by your average driver to prevent accidents and deaths from fatigue and drowsiness.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatigue causes an estimated 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths each year.  Clearly, Narcoleptics are not the only people who should be worried about drowsiness while driving. 

As Narcoleptics have to be especially careful about feeling drowsy while driving, I thought that the device was something we should all know about. This device sounds like it would be a good thing for many people to have, not just Narcoleptics.

While I’m on the topic of drowsy driving and Narcoleptics, I thought I should add that Narcoleptics aren’t necessarily more at risk for fatigue related accidents, assuming that they are driving with a doctor’s permission.  In fact, Narcoleptics who are under a doctor’s care and taking the necessary precautions might actually be less at risk for fatigue related accidents than non-Narcoleptics.  My sleep doctor once told me that Narcoleptics (under a doctor’s care) are actually less likely to get in fatigue-related automobile accidents because they pay much more attention to whether they are sleepy before and while they are driving and they are less likely to ignore their sleepiness and keep driving.  Whereas someone without Narcolepsy might say to themselves, “I know I’m exhausted and nodding off but I’m fine to drive home anyways (thinking they can keep themselves from falling asleep when in reality they can’t)”, a Narcoleptic would recognize that they aren’t going to be able to stop themselves from nodding off when they are very tired and will take a nap before driving, find another way to get home, etc.

For general information on drowsy driving, you can visit drowsydriving.org.

What do you think?  Do you struggle with drowsy driving?  Do you think this device would be helpful?  Has anyone actually tried this device or know of someone who has?