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What does the thalamus do while driving?
I sometimes get home from a trip to the store or the mall and feel like the entire drive was done on autopilot. Other times, I feel like if I’m not devoting 100% of my attention to the road, I’ll end up in an accident. What exactly is my brain doing while I’m driving?
Ethan Daniel Moser · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We can definitely relate to sometimes feeling like we are operating on autopilot behind the wheel, though it’s important to stay alert at all times as
road conditions
are constantly changing. Your brain is constantly firing off neurological signals to keep you safe behind the wheel, and the thalamus, in particular, helps you react to sight, taste, touch, and sound while behind the wheel by directing messages to the sensory cortex and transmitting replies to the cerebellum and medulla. Here are some ways your thalamus helps keep you safe while driving:
- If a child or animal suddenly runs out into the street in front of you, your thalamus triggers a neurological message to make youslam on the brakes
- While reversing, the thalamus allows the brain and body to make the necessary adjustments to our posture and vehicle to avoid a collision, particularly while backing out
- The thalamus offers drivers immediate reactions to unexpected obstacles on the road like ice, standing water, oncoming emergency vehicles, and debris
While the thalamus is a great tool for keeping all of us safe while driving, it’s certainly not foolproof, so having reliable
car insurance
is just as necessary.Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to find the best deals on car insurance when you shop with
Jerry
. As the only car insurance comparison shopping super app, Jerry matches users with competitive quotes from 50+ of the top car insurance providers nationwide in less than 45 seconds—all while saving you an average of $887 a year on car insurance alone!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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