in the middle COVID-19 Pandemic, we’ve all been told to avoid touching our faces on a regular basis, but it seems a lot of us can’t resist – especially while in the car.
New research has shown that drivers lift, rub and scratch their face an average of 26 times an hour.
Worryingly, researchers at the University of Nottingham say the behavior can spread germs and infections, including COVID-19.
Study co-author Dr David R Large said: ‘Face-touching behavior puts the driver at risk of transmission, especially if that vehicle is shared or occupied by multiple parties, and where hand hygiene is poor. it happens.
For example, by scratching their nose or rubbing their eyes, the driver may inadvertently transfer a virus or other dangerous foreign substance – acquired from a contaminated vehicle control or surface – to their face while driving or before entering the vehicle. Is. ,
New research has shown that drivers lift, rub and scratch their faces an average of 26 times an hour (stock image)
In the study, the team analyzed 31 hours of driving footage from 36 drivers, and found that drivers touched their faces an average of 26.4 times per hour, with each touch lasting about four seconds.
The face was most touched (79.6 percent), followed by hair (10 percent), neck (8.6 percent) and shoulders (1.7 percent).
On the face, 42.5 percent of the touches were on the inner lining of the lips, nose and eyes, known as the mucous membranes, with fingers and thumbs being used the most.
However, drivers were less likely to touch their faces during episodes of ‘high workload’ – when they were preparing to change lanes or turn.
“Driving as a task already has many physical touch points and requires manual manipulation of various control devices,” Dr Large said.
‘Understanding that these intrinsic human behaviours, such as touching the face, and their potential effects on health and hygiene, and work-related factors, such as work and performance, are clearly important.’
Worryingly, past research has shown that touching your face can increase your risk of spreading germs and infections, including COVID-19.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology explained: ‘Respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, flu, or COVID-19, can be spread through droplets in the air when a sick person coughs, sneezes or Its with you. Talks.
On the face, 42.5 percent of the touches were on the inner lining of the lips, nose and eyes, known as the mucous membranes, with fingers and thumbs being used the most.
In the study, the team analyzed 31 hours of driving footage from 36 drivers, and found that drivers touched their faces an average of 26.4 times per hour, with each touch lasting about four seconds.
‘They can also be spread by direct contact with bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing germs.
‘When we touch sick people, or touch dirty surfaces, we contaminate our hands with germs. Then we can infect ourselves with those germs by touching our face.’
The researchers hope the findings could help lead to the development of more touchless interfaces within cars.
They suggest that this could include hand or facial gestures to change radio stations or adjust air conditioning.
Study co-author Finian Ralph said existing driver monitoring systems that analyze blink rates and gestures to detect fatigue may also prove useful.
‘The driver can be alerted if the system detects unusual behavior indicating a face touch, or a pre-emptive alert is provided, for example, during periods of low driving workload when our study was conducted in the US. The results indicate that face-touching may be overkill – although it is recognized that such warnings can be annoying,’ he explained.