🚗 Driver Drowsiness and Alcohol Detection System Using Arduino & GSM Module

Published on: April 18, 2025
Author: Dinesh | Learn with D Trend

Introduction

Road safety is a paramount concern in today's fast-paced world. Accidents resulting from driver fatigue and alcohol consumption are alarmingly common. To address this issue, I've developed a Driver Drowsiness and Alcohol Detection System using Arduino and a GSM module. This project aims to enhance vehicular safety by monitoring the driver's alertness and sobriety, providing real-time alerts, and taking preventive actions when necessary.

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Objectives

• Monitor Driver Alertness: Detect prolonged eye closure indicating drowsiness.

• Detect Alcohol Consumption: Identify the presence of alcohol in the driver's breath.

• Automated Alerts: Send SMS notifications to a predefined contact upon detection.

• Preventive Measures: Disable the vehicle's motor to prevent potential accidents.

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Components Required

Component	Quantity	Description
Arduino UNO	1	Microcontroller board
IR Sensor	1	Detects eye closure
MQ3 Alcohol Sensor	1	Detects alcohol levels in breath
SIM900A GSM Module	1	Sends SMS alerts
5V Relay Module	1	Controls motor operation
Buzzer	1	Provides audible alerts
Jumper Wires	As needed	For connections
Breadboard	1	For prototyping
Power Supply (5V)	1	Powers the circuit

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Pin Configuration

Arduino Pin	Connected Component
D2	IR Sensor Output
A0	MQ3 Sensor Analog Output
D8	Relay Module Input
D9	Buzzer
D10	GSM Module TX
D11	GSM Module RX

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Block Diagram

[IR Sensor] [MQ3 Sensor]
| |
v v
[Arduino UNO] --- [GSM Module]
|
v
[Relay Module] --- [Motor]
|
v
[Buzzer]

Note: Ensure proper voltage level shifting for GSM module communication.

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Working Principle

1. Drowsiness Detection:

   • The IR sensor monitors the driver's eye.

   • If eyes remain closed for more than 5 seconds, the system identifies drowsiness.

   • The motor is disabled, a buzzer sounds, and an SMS alert is sent.

2. Alcohol Detection:

   • The MQ3 sensor detects alcohol levels in the driver's breath.

   • If alcohol is detected above a certain threshold, the motor is disabled, a buzzer sounds, and an SMS alert is sent.

3. System Reset:

   • After 10 seconds, the system resets, re-enabling the motor and resuming monitoring.

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Arduino Code

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

// Pin Definitions
#define IR_SENSOR 2
#define MQ3_PIN A0
#define RELAY_PIN 8
#define BUZZER_PIN 9
#define GSM_TX 10
#define GSM_RX 11
#define MOTOR_ON LOW
#define MOTOR_OFF HIGH
SoftwareSerial gsm(GSM_RX, GSM_TX);
unsigned long eyeClosedStart = 0;
bool eyeClosed = false;
bool motorRunning = true;
String phoneNumber = "+917824864485"; // Replace with your number
unsigned long lastMotorStopTime = 0;
bool resetTriggered = false;
void setup() {
  pinMode(IR_SENSOR, INPUT);
  pinMode(MQ3_PIN, INPUT);
  pinMode(RELAY_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, MOTOR_ON);
  digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
  Serial.begin(9600);
  gsm.begin(9600);
  delay(3000);
  sendSMS("System Ready. Motor is ON.");
}
void loop() {
  if (resetTriggered && millis() - lastMotorStopTime > 10000) {
    digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, MOTOR_ON);
    motorRunning = true;
    resetTriggered = false;
    Serial.println("Motor restarted after event.");
    sendSMS("Motor Restarted. Stay Alert.");
  }
  int irValue = digitalRead(IR_SENSOR);
  int alcoholValue = analogRead(MQ3_PIN);
  Serial.print("IR: ");
  Serial.print(irValue);
  Serial.print(" | Alcohol: ");
  Serial.println(alcoholValue);
  if (alcoholValue > 400 && motorRunning) {
    stopMotor("Alcohol Detected! Motor Stopped.");
  }
  if (irValue == 0) {
    if (!eyeClosed) {
      eyeClosedStart = millis();
      eyeClosed = true;
    } else if (millis() - eyeClosedStart > 5000 && motorRunning) {
      stopMotor("Drowsiness Detected! Motor Stopped.");
    }
  } else {
    eyeClosed = false;
  }
  delay(300);
}
void stopMotor(String message) {
  digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, MOTOR_OFF);
  digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
  motorRunning = false;
  sendSMS(message);
  delay(5000);
  digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
  lastMotorStopTime = millis();
  resetTriggered = true;
}
void sendSMS(String msg) {
  gsm.println("AT");
  delay(1000);
  gsm.println("AT+CMGF=1");
  delay(1000);
  gsm.print("AT+CMGS=\"");
  gsm.print(phoneNumber);
  gsm.println("\"");
  delay(1000);
  gsm.println(msg);
  delay(500);
  gsm.write(26);
  delay(5000);
}

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Testing and Results

• Drowsiness Simulation: Covered the IR sensor to simulate eye closure. After 5 seconds, the buzzer sounded, the motor stopped, and an SMS was received.

• Alcohol Simulation: Introduced alcohol vapor near the MQ3 sensor. The system responded similarly, ensuring prompt alerts and motor shutdown.

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Applications

• Commercial Vehicles: Enhances safety in buses, trucks, and taxis.

• Personal Vehicles: Provides an added layer of safety for individual drivers.

• Fleet Management: Assists companies in monitoring driver behavior.

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Future Enhancements

• GPS Integration: To send location data along with SMS alerts.

• Mobile App Interface: For real-time monitoring and control.

• Data Logging: To maintain records of incidents for analysis.

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Conclusion

Implementing a Driver Drowsiness and Alcohol Detection System can significantly reduce road accidents caused by human error. By leveraging simple electronic components and microcontroller programming, we can create effective safety solutions that are both affordable and reliable.

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*For more projects and tutorials, stay tuned to "Learn with D Trend"

🧰 Components with Purchase Links (Affiliate-Ready)

Component	Description	Buy Link (Amazon)
Arduino UNO	The brain of your project (microcontroller board)	https://amzn.to/42jfRQF
IR Sensor Module	Used to detect the driver’s eye closure	https://amzn.to/3RUsFH5
MQ3 Alcohol Sensor	Detects alcohol presence in the driver's breath	https://amzn.to/4it8YRJ
SIM900A GSM Module	Sends SMS alerts to your phone	https://amzn.to/4jjF5Vc
Relay Module (5V)	Turns the motor ON/OFF based on detection	https://amzn.to/4jzTxsp
Buzzer	Audible alert for drowsiness or alcohol detection	https://amzn.to/4cXBVEl
Jumper Wires	Connects all the modules together	https://amzn.to/3GuclKD
Breadboard	Helps in prototyping the circuit easily	https://amzn.to/42Rftcm
12V Power Supply	Powers Arduino and GSM module	https://amzn.to/4lEd10g