Highway hypnosis, also known as white line fever, is a mental state where the mind manipulates the driver’s focus while driving. Symptoms include sleepiness, loss of focus, and slow responses…
White line fever, also known as highway hypnosis, essentially manipulates the mind. When a person drives a car or a truck at a safe speed without remembering it, the mind changes accordingly. This happens when a person’s conscious mind is elsewhere but is also processing the information necessary to operate a vehicle safely at the same time. Until one snaps out of it and later realizes that consciousness was elsewhere, a person cannot realize that Highway Hypnosis has taken over.
What symptoms are present?
Highway hypnosis has few symptoms, so it requires caution and awareness on the part of the person experiencing it. Let’s look at some of the factors that contribute to highway hypnosis.
1. Sleepiness
2. Loss of focus or attention
3. Having both a dull and sleepy sensation
4. Slow and inconsistent responses
5. Droopy and unaware eyes
6. Lack of concentration
What are the primary reasons that Highway Hypnosis occurs?
One of the main causes of highway hypnosis, where the mind tends to wander, is feeling sleepy, fatigued, drowsy, and less enthusiastic. Extreme cases of this may result in peril.
According to 2004 Healthline research, the oculomotor system regulates eye movements. A driver loses concentration while staring at the road for too long. Instead of seeing, the brain starts to rely more on mental projections of what the driver will see next.
How is Highway Hypnosis prevented?
An individual needs to be more watchful and alert after recognizing the warning signs of highway hypnosis. Here are some recommendations for safe driving.
1. Moderate consumption of caffeine
2. Take a break, go for a stroll, and eat.
3. Sing or talk while driving to keep your mind on the road.
4. Take it in turns to drive to give yourself a break.
5. Travel in groups and take appropriate breaks when driving long distances.
6. While driving, let the windows open and take in some fresh air.
Conclusion
White line fever, also known as highway hypnosis, is a mental condition where the mind manipulates the driver’s attention while driving at a safe speed. Symptoms include sleepiness, loss of focus, dull and sleepy sensations, slow responses, droopy eyes, and lack of concentration. The primary cause is feeling sleepy, fatigued, drowsy, and less enthusiastic. The oculomotor system regulates eye movements, causing the brain to rely more on mental projections rather than seeing.
To prevent highway hypnosis, individuals should be more alert and watchful. Recommendations for safe driving include moderate caffeine consumption, taking breaks, singing or talking while driving, taking turns, traveling in groups, taking breaks, and allowing windows open while driving to allow fresh air in. However, extreme cases may result in peril.
