Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist İhsan Öztekin gave information about road hypnosis, which causes a large part of long road accidents. Specialist Clinical Psychologist İhsan Öztekin, who states that hypnotic exposure is inherent in every human being, said, “It is a process that every person experiences many times throughout his life, often without being aware of it. That's why I've never zamThis claim of those who claim that 'I will not go into hypnosis' is a false and meaningless claim.” said.
“Not only the driver, but also the passengers can be hypnotized”
Öztekin said, “Road hypnosis is generally defined by vehicle drivers. However, this does not mean that the passenger in the vehicle will not be hypnotized. The person sitting next to the driver can also experience road hypnosis, or a passenger sitting by the window on the bus can experience road hypnosis while looking out the window. Of course, the driver's experience of road hypnosis is much more important than the passenger, as it is the cause of many accidents. Road hypnosis is one of the biggest reasons for crashing into stationary vehicles at high speeds. All of a sudden I came across statements like I didn't see it, it's actually due to road hypnosis." he said.
“The eyes are open but the mind is closed”
Underlining that the driver is not aware of hypnosis in road hypnosis, Öztekin said:
“Research shows that hypnosis begins about 2,5 hours after the driver sets off. The driver's eyes are open, looking at the road. On the one hand, the brain continues to perform its work automatically, that is, it perceives visual stimuli and takes the right actions. On the other hand, with the hypnotic effect, the conscious mind focuses on something completely different from driving. Even if the driver continues to drive because he is in a trance, his awareness of the road decreases and an insensitivity towards the road begins. With the hypnotic effect, the eyes are open and the mind is closed. The person does not remember this process. In this process, the person may also experience loss of reasoning and memory. This is also defined as 'sleeping with one's eyes open'.
“Road hypnosis is the cause of many accidents”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist İhsan Öztekin stated that many accidents that occur when there is no problem on the road, in traffic or in the vehicle, the reason for which is difficult to explain, is thought to occur with the effect of road hypnosis. It is more common on long journeys and night journeys. Similar structures of long roads put the driver in a state of blindfolded trance. Drivers of automatic transmission vehicles may experience this situation more.” said.
Emphasizing that road hypnosis is not a condition that needs to be treated, but a process that every person can experience when the conditions are met, Öztekin listed the precautions that drivers can take to avoid road hypnosis, especially for long journeys:
“He should not set out when he is tired and sleepless. You should set off rested and after at least 5 hours of sleep. The interior temperature of the vehicle should be controlled and constantly ventilated. Plenty of fluids should be taken. If possible, chew gum while driving. Music should not be listened to in the same rhythm. A tea and coffee break should be given every 2 hours. If there is a passenger in the vehicle, he should chat with the driver on different topics without being distracted. While cruising, one should not always look at a certain point. For example, one should not focus on road lines, but look at different stimuli such as road signs, traffic signs, trees on the side of the road.”