Canada Makes Drowsy ‘Sleep Playlists’ To Show Dangers Of Dozing Off At The Wheel

Over 20% of all car crashes in Canada are caused by drivers being too tired. To communicate the dangers of dozing off at the wheel to the public, the Canadian Safety Council decided not to take the common route of showcasing shocking and grotesque crash footage.

Rather, the officials collaborated with the creative agency Taxi on a “calming” approach, in the form of a Sleep Tracks music playlist that illustrates just how easy it is to fall asleep while on the roads and the catastrophic consequences of driving while not being entirely awake.

The playlist—which is available on Spotify and Apple Music—features tracks of noise recorded from different highways across the country. As listeners grow drowsy as the tunes play, the council hopes to convey just how important adequate rest is.

Interestingly, to cater to the different provinces across Canada, the partnership has tailored the Sleep Tracks to three different regions—Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta—by using different soundscapes and backdrops specific to each location.

For example, those tuning in to the Ontario playlist will hear the sounds of a 660 km (410 miles) stretch of road, including the 401 Highway, while those opting for the British Columbia version will get a sense of the busy Coquihalla Highway as part of the 731-km (454-mile) journey.

In addition, listeners can choose from three different engine types, including gas, electric, or hybrid, to get a sound that matches their vehicle. Each playlist lasts eight to 10 hours and uses a combination of white, pink, purple, and brown noise to lull one to sleep.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and Sleep Tracks is just one of many ways the Canada Safety Council is working to create awareness of the dangers of driving drowsy,” said Lewis Smith, Manager at the National Projects for the Canada Safety Council.

“We hope that Sleep Tracks will encourage drivers to take the hypnotic power of the road more seriously and reduce the number of tiredness-related incidents, a prevailing issue in this country that is often overlooked.”

[via Creative Review and Canada Safety Council / Newswire, cover image via Canada Safety Council]