Kurigram student invents device to curb reckless driving

A talented young student of Kurigram Polytechnic Institute has come up with a novel invention that can put a check on reckless driving on the country's roads induced by drug or alcohol abuse, or lack of sleep.

An instant signal will be sent to the car owners or target authorities over phones if the car drivers take drugs and doze off while driving.

Even the steering wheel has been designed to stop working the moment the hands of any drug-or-alcohol addled individual touches it to try and start the engine.

The device -- “Driver anti-sleep and alcohol alarm detect” -- will facilitate real-time monitoring.

Sanwar Hossain, a third-year student of Electronic Technology department of Kurigram Polytechnic Institute, invented the device after conducting experiments over a year.

His invention has already bagged two champion awards this year -- one in skills competition held at Kurigram Polytechnic Institute and the other in Rangpur divisional skills competition.

“I wanted to invent something that will help reduce road accidents,” the young inventor said.

“The urge to invent such a device came to my mind as my father and brother have been in the driving profession since I was a child,” Sanwar added.

According to the inventor, the car's dashboard will be fitted with an object, which will detect the face of the driver to assess whether he or she is feeling drowsy or under the influence of drugs/alcohol.

The steering wheel wrapped with magnetic reel and alcohol sensor will bring the circuitry to a stop. At the same time, cautionary alarms will be sent to three mobile phones signed with the system.

The guide and junior assistant instructor of Sanwar's department, Suman Kumar Saha said Sanwar as well as many other talented students of the institute have shown their keen interest to pursue such inventions if the government and private organisations come forward with sponsorships and due patronage, as they require investment.