China Tests Laser Highway System to Combat Driver Fatigue

In recent weeks, drivers on highways in China have seen an unusual sight, bright red, green, and blue laser beams cutting through the night above the road. The system is being tested as a pilot project in Shandong and Hunan provinces, where officials hope to address a deadly problem, visual fatigue caused by long, monotonous driving on straight highway stretches.

According to field data cited in the report, the technology is intended to reduce crashes caused by “micro-sleep,” brief episodes of falling asleep for a few seconds that account for a significant share of highway accidents. The stated goal is to cut such accidents by 20% to 30%.

Developers say the lasers are not aimed directly at drivers’ eyes and do not use strobe effects. Instead, they are directed at the driver’s peripheral vision to stimulate the brain and help keep motorists alert without creating dangerous glare.

The system also includes roadside warning lasers for stopped vehicles. Drivers who pull over can activate a powerful green beam that is visible from great distances, as part of a broader safety setup similar to advanced warning systems used in Europe. After the pilot’s apparent success, Chinese authorities are already considering expanding the system to additional national highways.