The Business Standard reports that Australian researchers are using YouTube videos of drowsy drivers to study the public perception of drowsy driving.

Ashleigh Filtness, from Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) said an increasing popularity in YouTube meant drivers were being filmed and filming themselves when tired behind the wheel and posting it to online video sharing websites.

“With driver fatigue contributing to between 15-30 per cent of crashes, it is vital that we better understand how people perceive sleepy driving to tackle this risky behaviour with road safety campaigns that work,” she said.

“In-vehicle footage relating to driver fatigue is present on YouTube and is actively engaged with by viewers,” she said.

“My study found a mix of both criticism and sympathy for fatigued drivers and a willingness to share advice on staying awake, which highlights the perception that people view sleepy driving as a common yet controllable behaviour,” she added.

Get the full story at www.business-standard.com