This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/29/scientists-work-on-roadside-test-for-tiredness

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Wake-up call for drivers as scientists work on roadside test for tiredness Wake-up call for drivers as scientists work on roadside test for tiredness
(7 months later)
It's enough to make you wish you never got out of bed. But researchers believe that they can develop roadside saliva tests to prevent people driving when they are too tired.It's enough to make you wish you never got out of bed. But researchers believe that they can develop roadside saliva tests to prevent people driving when they are too tired.
Driver fatigue causes two out of ten serious car crash injuries in Driver fatigue causes two out of ten serious car crash injuries in Australia, says Monash University Professor Shantha Rajaratnam, the leader of a multi-million dollar government project into alertness and safety
Australia, says Monash University Professor Shantha Rajaratnam, the
leader of a multi-million dollar government project into alertness and safety
He believes a roadside test for drowsy drivers is achievable. "It is something that law enforcement agencies all over the world have been looking for," he says.He believes a roadside test for drowsy drivers is achievable. "It is something that law enforcement agencies all over the world have been looking for," he says.
He also envisages new devices that test a worker's sweat or saliva before they operate machinery.He also envisages new devices that test a worker's sweat or saliva before they operate machinery.
Smart office lighting and personalised shift schedules are other goals at the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Alertness, Smart office lighting and personalised shift schedules are other goals at the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Alertness, Safety and Productivity, which was opened at Monash in Victoria on Wednesday.
Safety and Productivity, which was opened at Monash in Victoria on Its multi-disciplinary team from 26 universities, tech companies and government agencies also aim to find better ways to diagnose insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.
Wednesday. Getting a good night's sleep was not as simple as it sounded, said Bob Baldwin, parliamentary secretary to the minister for industry, and the federal government will invest $14.5 million in the centre over seven years.
Its multi-disciplinary team from 26 universities, tech companies
and government agencies also aim to find better ways to diagnose
insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.
Getting a good night's sleep was not as simple as it sounded,
said Bob Baldwin, parliamentary secretary to the minister for industry, and the federal government will invest $14.5 million in the centre over seven years.
"Over 20 per cent of the population are affected by a sleeping disorder," he said."Over 20 per cent of the population are affected by a sleeping disorder," he said.
"We want a more comprehensive approach to the management of alertness," said Rajaratnam."We want a more comprehensive approach to the management of alertness," said Rajaratnam.
The aim was to transfer neurobiological knowledge into the real world.The aim was to transfer neurobiological knowledge into the real world.
New office lighting systems could reset the body clock and directly activate the brain to improve alertness and performance.New office lighting systems could reset the body clock and directly activate the brain to improve alertness and performance.
"It could give workers a boost to get through their shift, feeling clearheaded and up to the job," Rajaratnam said. "It could give workers a boost to get through their shift, feeling clearheaded and up to the job," Rajaratnam said.
"Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in our society. By identifying the vulnerable individuals, we could develop "Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in our society. By identifying the vulnerable individuals, we could develop targeted treatments and vastly improve the safety and performance of workers."
targeted treatments and vastly improve the safety and performance of
workers."
The centre offered a world-leading opportunity to solve issues related to fatigue, said chief executive Anthony Williams.The centre offered a world-leading opportunity to solve issues related to fatigue, said chief executive Anthony Williams.