Here’s an interesting travel tip that might keep you safer as you drive around the Reno and Sparks area.

The average Reno and Sparks commuter in NV spends two and a half hours daily in their vehicle. That’s a lot of time. Typically, divers can pass the time by listening to their favorite music, book, or talk show, but statistics show there is another issue when spending that much time on the wheel. The government says 100,000 auto accidents yearly are caused by drivers who fall asleep at the wheel.

Where Smell Comes In

Interesting you say, but what does all this have to do with how your vehicle smells while you’re driving around Reno and Sparks? Well, data suggests that certain scents can make a driver more alert on the road. Which smell do you think makes drivers more alert?

Is it:

A. Leather (who doesn’t like this smell?)
B. Pine (the scent of Christmas!)
C. Vanilla (ice-cream, no need to say more!)
D. Watermelon (is it summer yet?)
E. New Car (especially when it’s an old car!)

It’s B. Is this surprising? According to one study, subjects who spent time in a pine forest reported significantly reduced worry and anxiety levels. Since we can’t all drive around Reno and Sparks with a Christmas tree in our car, we might want to invest in a pine air freshener.

Drivers in Reno and Sparks are more alert and have less fatigue with pine scent in the vehicle, according to AroMetrics. And, drivers were less angry with overall improved driving performance with strawberry and pine scents.

So the next time you see a pine tree hanging from someone’s mirror, thank them for helping to keep the Reno and Sparks roads safe!

Oh, by the way, if you smell any other obnoxious smells, it could be a sign of something requiring a repair.  Bring it to Wayne’s Automotive Center, and we will sniff out the problem!