Authorities in China are reportedly testing powerful laser installations on motorways in an effort to prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel, but drivers’ feedback has been mixed, at best.

Last year, clips of colorful light beams being projected from motorway signs in China started going viral on social media, leaving people scratching their heads about their purpose. What looks like a light show at an open-air rave is actually a trial method of preventing drivers, especially truck drivers, from falling asleep at the wheel. The most popular clip of the bizarre installation was shot on the 1,600-km-long Qingdao–Yinchuan Expressway, which is reportedly mainly used by heavy trucks from the capital city of Ningxia traveling to the port city of Qingdao.

“Mr. Li, the person behind the camera, reported that these laser lights designed to combat fatigue quickly revitalized him and reduced his exhaustion during a prolonged nighttime,” one viral post on X (Twitter) read.

However, drivers chiming in on the unusual laser installation didn’t seem very impressed. Some complained that the laser lights were too distracting, while others said that they were more likely to induce epilepsy seizures than keep drivers awake.

“1) This would distract me. 2) This would put me to sleep when I got used to it,” one person commented

 

“Who’s genius idea is it to blind the drivers? Congrats, those who aren’t sleepy are now disoriented. My autistic ass would crash the car within 5 seconds,” another X user wrote.

It’s unclear whether the laser system is still being tested on motorways, or whether Chinese authorities will ever implement the project, but the controversy surrounding it is still making news headlines.

If you’re thinking to yourself “What a strange idea!” remember that China is the country that implemented desert traffic lights to avoid camel traffic jams. So, yeah…