WELLINGTON, Nov. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- An alertness monitor which can detect when a driver is at risk of falling asleep is being developed by health researchers in Christchurch of New Zealand.

    The project, based at Christchurch's new Van der Veer Institutefor Parkinson's and brain research, follows mounting national concern over the dangers of driving while tired, Christ church-based daily The Press reported Wednesday.

    Last week a Massey University research magazine published a study showing driver fatigue was a factor in one in six truck crashes - three times earlier estimates.

    Also, in September Christchurch researchers published a study showing three out of four healthy men asked to perform a monotonous task for one hour actually fell asleep at least once.

    Neurotechnology research Director Associate Professor Richard Jones, one of the authors of the Christchurch study, is now helping develop an alertness monitor. It would measure a person's brain waves and eye movements while they were driving and would give them a wake-up call if needed.

    "It has colossal potential," Jones was quoted as saying.

    "Cases of tired drivers falling asleep aren't uncommon. A system which could monitor a person and detect lapses of consciousness would be of considerable value in helping to prevent serious accidents."

    It would not just be useful for the likes of long-distance truck drivers but for anyone who needed sustained alertness such as pilots and air traffic controllers. "Diminished alertness levels in these occupations can lead to disastrous consequences," Jones said.

    His research group, part of the Canterbury District Health Board, has signed a five-year contract with Canterbury University's Canterprise Ltd, to work together on commercializing a number of technologies, including the alertness monitor.

    The alertness monitor was at least two years away from commercial release, Jones said. Enditem