Nemielu and Ibaraki Milk Distribution Achieve Significant Accident Reduction

In a notable collaboration, Nemielu, a Tokyo-based company specializing in sleep technology, has partnered with Ibaraki Milk Distribution, located in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. This partnership introduced a revolutionary service, also named Nemielu, aimed at assessing daytime alertness and improving sleep quality among drivers. The results from a year-long application of this service are remarkable, demonstrating that it has effectively reduced the incidence of dangerous driving by an impressive 15.5% on average compared to the previous year.

Background and Challenges

The transportation industry grapples with severe risks associated with drowsy driving and inattentiveness. Previous methods, focusing on training and reactive measures, have failed to sufficiently lower accident rates. After an internal investigation, Ibaraki Milk Distribution identified that poor sleep quality might be a significant contributor to these dangerous driving behaviors. This led to the adoption of Nemielu, which provides scientifically grounded sleep improvement advice without the need for wearable devices.

Quantitative Results

Reduction in Dangerous Driving Incidents

1. Driving Safety Improvements: The study revealed a 15.5% decrease in safety-related incidents among those utilizing the Nemielu service. When compared to individuals not using the service, the usage group experienced an 11.6% reduction in dangerous driving events.
2. Ongoing Improvements: Users of the service showed a consistent trend of improvement over the year, while the control group exhibited an increase in dangerous driving patterns.

Sleep Quality Enhancements

Comparative analysis of the Athens Insomnia Scale scores before and after utilizing the service revealed that the percentage of users experiencing satisfactory sleep (scoring below 3) increased by 28%, while those at high risk for insomnia (scores of 6 or higher) decreased by 19%. This indicates a significant positive impact on sleep quality among users.

Economic Impact

Applying Heinrich's Law in labor disaster research, which relates to the occurrence of accidents, suggests that the reduction of dangerous incidents correlates to an expected decrease in severe accidents—0.25 significant accidents per year. Assuming each severe accident, like a total loss of a truck, costs approximately 20 million yen, this equates to an impressive total annual loss prevention of 5 million yen for Ibaraki Milk Distribution. This figure greatly exceeds the cost of implementing the service, illustrating a clear return on investment.

Feedback from the Company

Mr. Watanabe from Ibaraki Milk Distribution commented on the results achieved through Nemielu's implementation, stating, "The quality of sleep for our drivers has improved significantly, leading to a noticeable reduction in dangerous driving incidents, thereby avoiding losses estimated at 5 million yen. Proactive measures are crucial in preventing accidents rather than responding after they occur. We plan to continue enhancing our safety and health measures, prioritizing the well-being of our employees and the integrity of our logistics operations."