Highway hypnosis is a state that motorists can fall into when driving for prolonged periods or on monotonous roads that increases the risk of accidents. It involves zoning out to the point that once you snap back into the moment, you can’t remember how long you drove or what scenery you passed.
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What Are the Causes of Highway Hypnosis?
Highway hypnosis, also sometimes called white line fever, results from your brain disengaging from the act of driving, which makes highway hypnosis dangerous. Some of the common causes include:
- Monotonous roads – When you drive on straight roads with monotonous scenery, you’re more likely to fall under the spell of highway hypnosis. On open stretches, your brain doesn’t need to concentrate on the small details as much, which can lead to zoning out.
- Lack of stimulus – Boredom can also lead to highway hypnosis. If you’re in the car alone for long distances without many distractions, your brain can begin to zone out. Distracted driving is obviously dangerous, but minor distractions like passing other vehicles or seeing things on the side of the road actually keep your brain engaged.
- Fatigue – While highway hypnosis isn’t the same as drowsy driving, fatigue can increase the likelihood that you zone out behind the wheel.
What Are Some Symptoms of Highway Hypnosis?
A few common symptoms of highway hypnosis can put you in dangerous situations on the road, including:
- Loss of concentration – When your brain disengages from driving and enters an almost trance-like state, you’re more likely to make a mistake, such as running stop signs or traffic lights. Despite the name, highway hypnosis doesn’t only occur on major highways. It can also happen on suburban roads and urban streets, leading to dangerous situations.
- Slowed reaction times – When you zone out while driving, your reaction times won’t be as fast as usual. If another car cuts you off or there’s a hazard in the road, you may not notice before it’s too late. Slowed reaction times are one of the biggest dangers of highway hypnosis on major highways because of the high speeds involved.
- Lane drifting – You may not realize you’re drifting between lanes if your brain is on autopilot. Rumble strips on the sides of the road or your vehicle’s lane drift sensor may be able to snap you out of your highway hypnosis.
- Drowsiness – Zoning out, especially when fatigued, can lead to drowsiness. If your brain disengages from driving, it’s easier to fall asleep behind the wheel.
When and Where Is Highway Hypnosis Most Likely to Occur?
Since the primary cause of highway hypnosis is a lack of stimulus to the brain, there are four main times and places where highway hypnosis occurs:
- Lack of diverse scenery – Driving on a straight, flat road with repetitive scenery can trick your brain into thinking you aren’t making as much progress as you actually are. You may think you’ve only been driving for five minutes, but when you snap out of the hypnosis, you realize 30 minutes have passed.
- Stretches with little traffic – Long stretches of road without other traffic can work similarly to stretches without diverse scenery. We usually don’t think about this when driving, but other vehicles on the road keep us alert. That is why you’re more likely to fall under highway hypnosis at night when there aren’t as many vehicles on the road, even if you don’t feel tired.
- Daily commute – If you drive on the same roads at the same time every day, your brain can begin going on autopilot. Even if the commute is only a few minutes long, that’s enough time for your brain to zone out when going through a familiar area.
- Long road trips – The longer you’re on the road, the more likely you’ll experience highway hypnosis at some point. Long trips tend to be on highways, which have less diverse scenery than local roads. The longer the trip lasts, the more tired you become.
Can Highway Hypnosis Lead to Car Accidents?
Highway hypnosis can lead to all sorts of car accidents. Some accidents result from drifting between lanes and hitting other cars or running off the road entirely. Others result from running red lights or stop signs, causing accidents in intersections. And when you’re zoned out, you may not realize how fast you’re going, which can lead to more severe accidents if you are speeding.
If you’ve ever been in an accident where you or another driver doesn’t know what happened, it may be due to highway hypnosis.
What Are the Best Ways to Avoid Highway Hypnosis?
The good news is that there are a few simple ways to reduce the likelihood of falling victim to highway hypnosis while driving. Some of the most common tips to help drivers prevent highway hypnosis include:
- Listen to music. Upbeat music that isn’t repetitive is great for keeping your brain engaged.
- Talk to passengers. While a minor distraction, talking to passengers is another excellent way to keep your brain engaged. They can also help you snap out of any hypnosis.
- Roll down windows. Feeling the wind on your face will make it more difficult to zone out while driving.
- Turn the AC up or the heater down. The colder it is in your vehicle, the less likely you are to zone out or become drowsy.
- Take breaks. If you’re going on a long road trip, plan to take regular breaks rather than trying to power through in one sitting.
- Get a good night’s rest. A good night’s rest can reduce fatigue and make you less likely to zone out or become drowsy.
- Keep your brain engaged. Little things like making a conscious effort to look at all the cars and signs you drive by can keep your brain engaged.
Contact an Indiana Car Accident Lawyer
If you were in a car accident in Indiana caused by someone else, contact Truitt Law Offices to speak with one of our experienced car accident attorneys in a free consultation. We can assist you in filing an auto insurance claim or seeking compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
