On the road, over 90% of accidents are caused by human error*. The majority are linked to fatigue or inattention. These are warning signs of imminent danger. Knowing how to identify them is essential for safer driving.
Micro-inattention and minor errors: the first signs of danger
Inattention is one of the main causes of road accidents. It is a factor in 24% of accidents involving personal injury* and often manifests itself in small, subtle but significant deviations: • less frequent checks in the rear-view mirrors, • slight deviations from the trajectory, • staring too long at a specific point. These errors may seem insignificant, but when they are repeated, they signal a decline in vigilance. And when attention is focused on something else, the risks increase. A recent study conducted by Assurance Prévention, in partnership with Develter Innovation, shows that a simple smartphone notification distracts the driver’s gaze for 12.7 seconds, or approximately 450 metres travelled at 130 km/h. As a result, up to 6 minutes of vigilance are lost every hour and the risk of an accident doubles.
Recognising the signs of fatigue
Often confused with inattention, fatigue follows different mechanisms. Inattention can occur even in a well-rested driver, in response to an external distraction. Fatigue, on the other hand, is a progressive physiological state, the symptoms of which are easily identifiable when driving:
- Longer reaction times
- Delayed correction of trajectory after a slight deviation
- Forgetting to use indicators
- Longer and more frequent blinking
- Micro-losses of alertness
According to ONISR*, drowsiness is the cause of 10 to 20% of road accidents and up to a third of fatal accidents on motorways. Falling asleep for just 3 or 4 seconds at 130 km/h is equivalent to travelling more than 100 metres without seeing the road.
Simulator: training and driving analysis tool
Develter Innovation simulators can detect these weak signals in real driving situations, thanks to eye-tracking technology that can analyse eye movements and pupil dilation in real time.
In concrete terms, the trainer can see:
- checks of mirrors and blind spots,
- periods of inattention (prolonged fixed gaze),
- specific signs of fatigue (blinking, reaction time).
The driving assessment identifies gaps in knowledge and bad driving habits. Other sensors analyse steering wheel movements to detect abnormal driving (zigzagging typical of drowsiness) and physiological data (heart rate, electroencephalograms).
These technologies enhance the ability to anticipate risky situations.
By helping drivers to spot and anticipate weak signals, simulators become powerful tools for prevention. They not only enable a better understanding of dangers, but above all help to correct them.
* ONSIR 2023 assessment