The alarm will sound as soon as you take a nap on the highway! Watch the camera on the eyes of truck-bus drivers! ‘Sleep detection’ technology to prevent accidents

Night-time accidents on Indian highways are becoming a matter of grave concern. According to a report by the National Crime Records Bureau and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks, tractors and buses account for the largest share of total fatal accidents in the country.

Over-speeding, fatigue and sleepiness of the driver are the main reasons behind nighttime highway accidents. As an urgent solution, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has now started enforcing strict rules not only on the working hours of drivers, but also on the technology of the vehicles.

1. Working hours and cabin comfort rules for drivers

Drivers of trucks and buses drive for 10 to 12 hours continuously without rest during long-distance journeys, causing them to take a few seconds of nap and causing accidents. As a solution, the government has come up with a policy to limit the driving hours of drivers, making it mandatory to take a mandatory rest after a certain number of hours. In addition, the ministry has made AC mandatory in the cabin of all new trucks from October 1, 2025 to reduce driver fatigue, thereby preventing driver fatigue due to heat.

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2. Sleep detection cameras and ADAS

Instead of relying on regulations alone, MoRTH has taken a historic decision to keep a watch on technology in the vehicles themselves. From January 1, 2028, ‘Driver Distraction Detection and Alert System’ has been made mandatory in all heavy commercial vehicles.

How will this work??

A special ‘infrared camera’ and sensors are installed in front of the driver in the cabin of the car. The camera closely monitors the driver’s eye movements, eye blink timing and facial expressions.

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Alert system

If the driver closes his eyes for more than 2 seconds or falls asleep, an alarm immediately sounds in the car and the steering wheel vibrates, which wakes the driver up.

Vehicle control

Along with this system, ‘Lane Departure Warning’ (LDWS) and ‘Advanced Emergency Braking’ (AEBS) are also being added, so that if the car drifts out of the lane due to drowsiness, the car will apply the brakes and reduce the speed automatically.

According to NCRB data, technology is now the need of the hour to prevent accidents on highways. There is no doubt that these new rules of MoRTH and sleep detection technology will help improve the mental health of commercial drivers and save the lives of road commuters.