One major idea developed into a driver alert alarm is an earpiece, which can vibrate and/or issue a sound to the operator of the vehicle when the head nods forward.  An adjustable angle can be accommodated to the individual so a predetermined movement of the head forward will sound the alarm and if audible, alert passengers as well as the driver.  Considering the dire results of falling asleep at the wheel, any sense of tiredness should immediately prompt the driver to stop and rest.  Self-awareness is essential for responsible driving and one must know his or her own signs of fatigue.

A similar concept was presented in 2006, with vibration the cue to alert the driver.  A wristband rather than an earpiece was proposed in the invention, and motion and response time were used to measure a level of tiredness.  A Radio Frequency ID Chip, or RFID, would be placed in the car and trigger vibrations that would continue until the operator responded.  Whether behind the wheel of a car on public thoroughfares, or sitting in the cab of heavy equipment, the best sensor of fatigue is the driver’s awareness of his physical condition.

When the pace seems to be go go go, and the distance to travel is long, monotonous, and perhaps even in hot weather, it is not uncommon for waves of sleepiness to wash over the person driving a car or other vehicle.  Sleep is so essential to alertness that if necessary it needs to be penciled into a day timer.

Making a habit of wearing a driver alert earpiece can be as easy as putting on a pair of sunglasses, as the earpiece style fits comfortably with eyewear.  Teens with odd hours, nurses and other shift workers, those who must wait in their vehicles such as taxi cab operators, or emergency responders, could find a driver alert device to be a practical tool to performing necessary duties without jeopardizing safety if used in conjunction with regular sleep patterns.

A device to stay awake while driving can also be adapted to situations other than behind the wheel of a car.  If a college student finds it hard to stay awake during an important lecture, or an overnight building guard finds his routine too repetitious, a driver alert alarm could be the nudge to stay awake and attuned to the environment.

As a responsible citizen and vehicle operator, conscious attention to one’s mental alertness can mean the difference between life and death for oneself and the public.  A driver alert device can be a back up tool that supports a lifestyle of accountability.