---
title: "New Wearable Could Save 30,000 People a Year"
description: "Drowsy driving is involved in about 328,000 car accidents and 30,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. To combat this, the tech armband Steer monitors your drowsiness and gives you a gentle shock when you are close to sleep."
date: "2017-07-25"
modified: "2017-07-25"
authors:
  - name: "Christianna Reedy"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/christianna"
url: "https://futurism.com/new-wearable-could-save-30000-people-a-year"
categories:
  - "Future Society"
tags:
  - "drowsy driving"
  - "steer"
  - "wearable device"
---

# New Wearable Could Save 30,000 People a Year

![drowsy driving steer wearable device](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/in-the-car2.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativemode/steer-you-will-never-fall-asleep-while-driving/community" target="\_blank"\>Steer\</a\>\</em\>*

In the U.S., about a quarter of all car accidents — [328,000 annually](<https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/AAAFoundation-DrowsyDriving-Nov2014.pdf>) — involve driving fatigue. These crashes cause an estimated 30,000 deaths every year, making drowsy driving almost as dangerous as drunk driving. The magnitude of this problem is shocking — and so is its solution.

![Image Credit: STEER](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Steer-GIF.gif>)
*Image Credit: STEER*

Steer is a bracelet that will give you a "gentle" electric shock if you are close to falling asleep. It works by using 16 sensors that are equipped within the band. These sensors monitor various vital signs — similarly to the way a polygraph machine records your physiological indicators. Steer measures heart rate and skin conductance to determine how drowsy the wearer is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncXROmaqQXM

If Steer finds that you are getting a little drowsy, it will alert you by vibrating. But if it determines you are on the brink of sleep, then it will deploy an electrical jolt — for your own good, of course. The device checks on you every two seconds and has a battery life of two weeks, so you can rest assured (while wide awake) that Steer will keep you safe on your next road trip.Steer's makers are taking orders on [their Kickstarter page](<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativemode/steer-you-will-never-fall-asleep-while-driving/description>), where the band is currently available for 99€ ($115). It is slated for mass production this fall, with delivery to follow in November.But while it is vital — literally — to stay awake while driving, it's also important to get good rest on a regular basis. You shouldn't have to be shocked awake on every excursion. On that front, check out [these gadgets](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/4-gadgets-that-will-help-you-sleep-at-night>) that will you catch some Zs once you get safely to your destination.