STA Issues Advisory to Avoid Road Hypnosis, Know What It Is

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s State Transport Authority (STA) has issued an advisory for drivers as well as passengers to avoid road hypnosis. Usually during long drives during night, the drivers experience road hypnosis that at times causes accidents.

According to STA, road hypnosis is a major reason behind accidents on highways at night. Road hypnosis occurs when driver’s brain goes into subconscious state even though his eyes remain open during long journeys at night.

As per experts, road hypnosis usually happens when a person drives a vehicle continuously for over two and a half hours at night.

Because of road hypnosis, the brain of the driver fails to remember or understand anything for around 15 minutes before meeting a road mishap, informed the STA.

As per the STA data as many as 1,845 people were killed and altogether 2,048 others were injured in road mishaps in Odisha in 2023. Road hypnosis is one of the reasons behind the road mishaps in the state, said the STA.

As per the advisory of the STA to avoid road hypnosis:

*Drivers should take rest for a few minutes after driving continuously for over 2 hours during long journeys at night.

* They should wash their faces thoroughly and take a short walk before taking rest for at least 5 minutes.

*Drink tea or coffee and resume journey only when you feel completely refreshed.

*Passengers should remain alert and monitor the driving style of the driver and travel speed of the vehicle, while travelling at night.

*The driver may experience drowsiness if all passengers fall asleep during long journeys at night. Therefore, the driver as well as the passengers should be careful to avoid road mishaps, STA added.