This Smell Won’t Knock You Out

I try not to drive long distances.  My husband will handle the wheel for ten hours straight before allowing me a stint at it.  That’s because we both know that the motion of a car makes me sleepy.  I tried to hide this hazardous habit for the first few years of our marriage, but after being caught slapping myself in the face a few too many times, my husband finally caught on. 

Apparently, the propensity to snooze at the wheel is not so uncommon.  In fact, car companies have been working on various technologies to combat this DWD (Driving While Drowsy) issue.  One of the most promising and interesting of the solutions is aromatherapy.  Nissan has created a system called “Forest AC” that releases fragrances to alter a driver’s mood or behaviour. 

Two aromas are used intermittently and alternately:

• Borneol is a combination of oils that create a calming effect, thereby reducing the potential for road rage;
• Leaf alcohol is found in most plants and is found to reduce fatigue (no more face slapping.)

Furthermore, the “forest” atmosphere is maintained within the car with its filtration system that eliminates noxious fumes out of the air.  Whether the smell originates from outside (skunk) or inside the car (dirty diapers), the system works to eliminate the offending odour immediately. 

But don’t throw out the pine scented air freshener dangling off the rear view mirror just yet.  Forest Air is only available in the Fuga luxury sedan in Japan.  And order an extra large coffee, to go.

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