Why Do Drivers Zone Out?
CrowdScience
BBC
4.8 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 7 September 2018
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Have you ever been out driving and noticed your mind… wandering? CrowdScience listener Sian Gardiner has. When travelling to visit her parents she has to cross a very large, very obvious bridge. But there are times when she finds herself on the other side with no memory of having gone over it. How is that even possible? Presenter Geoff Marsh buckles up to find out. He travels through the science of how driving becomes second nature, brakes sharply when he realises he’s not necessarily in conscious control at 70mph, and tries to refocus when he discovers why drivers don’t always see things that are staring them in the face. He also asks what’s happening when our mind drifts away from the road, and what can be done to help drivers pay more attention and reduce accidents.
Presenter: Geoff Marsh Producer: Anna Lacey Sound design: Peregrine Andrews
(Photo: A woman sits in her car, looking through window glass with rain drops. Credit: Getty Images)
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of |
| 0:07.0 | Happiness Podcast. |
| 0:08.0 | For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want |
| 0:14.4 | to share that science with you. |
| 0:16.1 | And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley. |
| 0:19.4 | I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that |
| 0:25.4 | calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:30.7 | We've got four hours ahead of us. What do you want to listen to? What have you got? |
| 0:37.0 | Okay, let me look. This? |
| 0:41.0 | Yeah, it's not exactly road trip. |
| 0:44.0 | How is that not road trip? |
| 0:45.0 | Okay, hang on. |
| 0:47.0 | This? |
| 0:48.0 | That's a bit more like it. |
| 0:51.0 | Okay, then, well, in that, are you ready to do the intro? |
| 0:55.0 | Are you recording? |
| 0:56.0 | I am. |
| 0:57.0 | Okay. |
| 0:58.0 | You're listening to Crowd Science from the BBC World Service with me Jeff Marsh. |
| 1:01.0 | We answer your science questions, the big ones, the small ones, and the ones that take us on road trips. |
| 1:06.8 | sat beside me in the passenger seat is super producer and a Lacey. Hi. |
| 1:11.3 | Hi. Why are you covered in microphones and wires and dummy heads and looking |
... |
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