Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve all regularly been told to avoid touching our faces, but it seems that many of us can’t resist – particularly while in the car.
According to new research, drivers rub their faces 26 times per hour.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham warn that this behavior could cause the spread of infections and germs, such as Covid-19.
Co-author Dr David R Large said that face-to-face interactions pose a risk for the driver. This is especially true if the vehicle is shared by more than one person or where hygiene standards are poor.
“By scratching or rubbing their eyes, for instance, the driver might inadvertently transfer viruses, or other hazardous foreign substances – acquired from an contaminated vehicle control, surface, or while driving, or before entering the vehicle – to their face.
Research has shown that drivers rub, scratch and pick at their faces an average of 26 times per hour (stock photo)
Researchers analysed footage of 36 drivers’ driving sessions for 31 hours. They found that drivers touch their faces on average 26.4 times an hour. Each touching lasted almost 4 seconds.
Most people touched the face (79.5%), followed by hair (10.0%), neck (8.6%%) and shoulders (1.7%).
The face was touched at 42.5 percent. This is the inner lining, nose, and lips. Thumbs are most common.
However, drivers were less likely to touch their faces during episodes of ‘high workload’ – including when they were preparing to change lane or turn.
Dr. Large explained that “Driving is a physical task and needs manual manipulations of various control device,”
It is important to understand how they are punctuated with intrinsic human behaviours like face touching and their potential impact on health, hygiene and task-related factors such as function, performance and health.
Concerningly, research suggests that the possibility of germs spreading through touching your skin, such as Covid-19, can be increased by simply touching it.
According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, “Respiratory diseases like flu and pneumonia can be spread by droplets in air. This is true when someone with a cold coughs, sneezes or speaks near you.
Face: 42.5 Percent of touch were made to the inner layer of the nostrils, lips and eyes. These are known as mucous membranes. The most common uses of thumbs and fingertips is for the mouth.
The study involved analysing 31 hours worth of footage taken by 36 drivers. It found that drivers touch their faces an average of 26.4 times per hour, each touching lasting almost four seconds.
These germs can also be transmitted by direct contact to bacteria, viruses, or other disease-causing organisms.
“When we touch sick people or dirty surfaces, our hands can become infected with germs.” The germs can be transmitted to our skin by touching it.
Researchers hope that the results of their research will lead to the creation of touchless interfaces in cars.
This could be done by using facial or hand gestures or changing the radio station.
Finian Ralph, the co-author, said that existing driver monitoring systems, which analyse blink rates, head nodding, and detect fatigue could be useful.
‘The driver could be alerted if the system detects unusual behaviour indicative of face-touching, or be provided with a pre-emptive warning, for example, during periods of low driving workload when results from our study indicate that face-touching may be higher – although it is recognised that such warnings could become annoying,’ he explained.