Leasing Options on the scent to combat road rage
A new project from Leasing Options and an expert at the University of Oxford is aiming to help drivers by introducing a combination of scents used to combat negative emotions experienced on the roads.
The vehicle leasing company partnered with Professor Charles Spence, Professor of Experimental Psychology, to establish and create air freshener scents that may help drivers manage road rage, nausea, tiredness and nervousness behind the wheel.
The conditions analysed were developed following a survey of over 1,000 drivers that found road rage and anger (50%), stress (48%), drowsiness and tiredness (44%), nervousness (43%) and travel sickness and nausea (13%) are common experiences when behind the wheel. Five scented air fresheners were then created using natural ingredients based on these common complaints.
To combat drowsiness, the team have created a pink grapefruit and cinnamon scent, a combination proven to help extend wakefulness. A third of road traffic accidents are believed to be a result of drowsy drivers, according to research by Britain’s Transport Research Laboratory.
A lavender, lemon and burnt rubber scent has further been created to calm road rage, with over half of the UK’s drivers admitting to experiencing anger and impatience behind the wheel. The combination of these scents have been proven to have a calming effect, aiming to help to keep road rage at bay.
Ginger and peppermint have been combined to beat nausea. Although travel sickness is most commonly associated with passengers and not the driver, feelings of nausea can be severely detrimental to driving. Releasing a ginger and peppermint aroma into the car may help to settle the stomach.
Almost half (47%) of 18 to 24-year-old drivers admitted to experiencing nervousness while on the road, and so a pine needle and fresh-cut grass scent has been created to keep nerves settled.
To reduce stress, a Bergamot and sweet marjoram air freshener has been created, with nearly half (48%) of UK drivers admit that they have felt stressed when driving. The combination of these scents should allow drivers to relax behind the wheel.
Charles Spence, Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, said ‘A growing body of scientifically credible research now shows releasing pleasant scents while driving could help us all to have a more positive experience on the open road.
‘I believe we undervalue the effect that smell can have on our state of mind. Having an air freshener that helps to combat the emotional or physical states you struggle with most while driving can only be a positive thing.’
Mike Thompson, brand manager at Leasing Options, added ‘Our research found drivers frequently experience a huge range of emotions on the road, from drowsiness to road rage, and many of these common emotional and physical states can have a real impact on their concentration.
‘Keeping these emotions in mind, we produced brand new air freshener scents that could mean more drivers can feel alert, calm or motion-sickness-free on the roads.’
To find out more and be in with a chance of winning, visit: https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/news/latest-news/car-scents-one-whiff-to-settle-road-rage/4708
