What Are the Green Lasers on Highways?
3 Answers
Highway green lasers are called "anti-fatigue laser lights," designed to alert drivers for safety during nighttime driving. These lasers have a long beam projection distance (up to 2 kilometers) and are typically installed on straight road sections. The green lasers are particularly noticeable at night, available in both steady and flashing modes, effectively stimulating the driver's brain to counteract fatigue. Introduction to Anti-Fatigue Laser Lights: These laser lights can be freely adjusted in angle without obstructing the driver's view, creating a beam network in the air toward incoming traffic. They integrate laser, strobe, and high-decibel alarm functions for a tri-sensory (light, sound, and electrical) warning effect. The system aims to "stimulate" drowsy eyes through changes in light and sound, alleviating visual fatigue caused by monotonous driving conditions. By providing sensory stimulation to drivers, it enhances their safety awareness when passing through accident-prone areas, especially under adverse weather conditions like night, rain, snow, or fog. Subjectively, it significantly reduces driving risks and accident rates. Currently, anti-fatigue laser lights have been installed on highways in Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, and other provinces. Wuxi traffic police reported a 17% decrease in fatigue-related accidents at system-equipped accident-prone sections. The "anti-fatigue laser light" is merely a technological "reminder" measure for accident prevention. Avoiding fatigued driving fundamentally requires personal responsibility: ensure sufficient sleep, avoid driving during afternoon and nighttime hours when possible. Schedule driving time scientifically—continuous driving should not exceed 4 hours, with breaks lasting at least 20 minutes. Nighttime continuous driving should be limited to 2 hours maximum, preferably with two drivers taking turns. Arrange rest periods properly; avoid maintaining a fixed posture for extended periods while driving. If feeling drowsy, exit at the nearest service area or highway exit for rest.
I've been driving on highways for many years, and recently I've often noticed small green flashing lights by the roadside. At first, I thought they were signal lights from construction sites, but upon inquiry, I learned they're actually intelligent laser devices. These are mostly part of lane departure warning systems, installed on road shoulders or overpasses, using lasers to scan the lanes. When a vehicle crosses the line, these light points will intensify their flashing or trigger audible alerts through the vehicle's system, helping drivers regain focus when they're drowsy or distracted. The green color was chosen because the human eye is most sensitive to green, making it clearly visible at night or in foggy conditions without being harsh on the eyes. This has been quite helpful for safety—I've heard that some road sections have seen a 20-30% reduction in accidents after implementation. During long-distance driving, I've also developed good habits: taking a break every two hours and not relying on my phone. While technology is great, driver awareness remains the first line of defense. These little gadgets truly make journeys more reassuring.
Those green light dots on the highways are actually LiDAR technology used for traffic monitoring. The equipment emits low-power laser beams to scan the road surface, detecting lane and vehicle positions. If a vehicle deviates from its intended path, the system provides real-time warnings. The green light wavelength is around 555 nanometers, which is highly visible to the human eye and safe, unlike red or blue lights that might be mistaken for signals. This technology is part of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and helps reduce rear-end and side collisions. Having reviewed many automotive tech evaluations, I've found it integrates AI to analyze traffic flow and could connect to autonomous driving features in the future. It's highly practical, and I recommend drivers familiarize themselves with these innovations—don't just rely on navigation; paying attention to environmental changes can enhance the driving experience.
