According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and over 100,000 accidents each year. Drowsy driving is considered as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. It causes slower reaction times, vision impairment, lapses in judgment and delays in processing information. Still, over 50% of American drivers say that they drive while drowsy, and 28% admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel. According to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), drowsy driving has become more of a problem than previously estimated.

This week is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, a NSF public awareness campaign to educate drivers about sleep safety. Drowsy driving is a year round problem with transport drivers pushed by deadlines and shift workers working odd hours, but during the summer, the problem gets even worse. People trying to make the most of their vacation tend to ignore the signs of fatigue, resulting in an increase in drowsy driving accidents on the road.

Automakers and independent electronics companies have come up with solutions to this problem ranging from simple head positioning monitors to integrated sensor systems. While both are effective, they do have their limitations and can be expensive. The makers of a new device called the Anti Sleep Pilot are taking a different, more affordable, approach to keeping drivers alert on the road. The Anti Sleep Pilot offers a standalone model as well as an IPhone app that requires regular input form the driver to ensure that they are alert. The device is constantly calculating the drivers personalized driving fatigue levels according to 26 different input parameters. It not only alerts drivers that they are falling asleep at the wheel, but was designed to prevent drivers from getting into a dangerous situation in the first place.