Drowsy Driver Detection System

Abstract

Driver fatigue is one of the major causes of accidents in the world. Detecting the drowsiness of the driver is one of the surest ways of measuring driver fatigue. In this project we aim to develop a prototype drowsiness detection system. This system works by monitoring the eyes of the driver and sounding an alarm when he/she is drowsy. The priority is on improving the safety of the driver without being obtrusive. In this project the eye blink of the driver is detected. If the drivers eyes remain closed for more than a certain period of time, the driver is said to be drowsy and an alarm is sounded. Taking into account the knowledge that eye regions in the face present great intensity changes, the eyes are located by finding the significant intensity changes in the face. Once the eyes are located, measuring the distances between the intensity changes in the eye area determine whether the eyes are open or closed. A large distance corresponds to eye closure. If the eyes are found closed for 5 consecutive frames, the system draws the conclusion that the driver is falling asleep and issues a warning signal.