Highway hypnosis, also called white line fever, is an altered mental state in which a driver can cover a long distance and respond adequately to events on the road with no later memory of having consciously done so. In this state the driver conscious attention is focused elsewhere while the brain keeps processing road and vehicle information at a subconscious level, an instance of automaticity, the general ability to carry out a complex action without being consciously aware of doing it; in some cases the trance can run deep enough to produce auditory or visual distortions.
Facts
Core ClaimHighway hypnosis, also known as white line fever, is an altered mental state in which an automobile driver can drive lengthy distances and respond adequately to external events with no recollection of consciously having done so. 1 First Described Year Classification
Type of Phenomenon Sources
1. Wikipedia: Highway hypnosis
Lead paragraph
Highway hypnosis, also known as white line fever, is an altered mental state in which an automobile driver can drive lengthy distances and respond adequately to external events with no recollection of consciously having done so.
History section
The term "highway hypnosis" was coined by G. W. Williams in 1963.
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