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Car experts are warning motor vehicle operators about pressing the recirculation button as it could cause them to lose consciousness if used carelessly.

"It's a nuanced method because most persons don't know how to use that recirculation for AC (air conditioning)," said Owen Smith, general director of the Jamaica Automobile Association. "It depends on the temperature on the outside, temperature on the inside in different scenarios and situations."

The recirculation button, usually marked by a car icon with a round arrow inside, is located near the AC controls. It stops fresh air from outside and instead recycles the air already in the vehicle which helps the car cool faster, but according to Smith, "if left on too long, [it] can reduce oxygen levels".

"When you keep that air trapped too long, especially with more people in the car, the quality drops. You're breathing in what you just breathed out," Smith warned. Among other things, this can limit the intake of fresh, oxygen-rich air, and increase the carbon dioxide level in the vehicle.

"Over time, that can lead to headaches, drowsiness, even fogged-up windows." Drowsiness and headaches could inpair driver alertness. So far for 2025, more than 210 Jamaicans have died in road crashes, according to the Road Safety Unit, with driver error including fatigue listed among the top causes.

A story recently made the rounds online about a family of five crashing after a child unknowingly pressed the button before a long trip. All the occupants started falling asleep. The vehicle eventually veered off the road and crashed into a ditch. Smith noted that there is limited evidence to say the recirculation button directly causes crashes.

"But we know that poor air quality inside the cabin can lead to fatigue and fatigue is a known risk factor," he said.

A Half-Way Tree-based mechanic, who only identified himself as Boyzie, said some of his customers have complained about feeling dizzy while driving.

"I check the vents and the AC to see if fresh air coming in. If I ask them that, dem don't even know what mi a talk bout," he said.

"The button is useful, especially in traffic or when the air outside dusty or smoky. But you shouldn't keep it on for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. After that, switch back to fresh air mode especially if you have passengers," he advised.

Drivers are also being reminded that in humid or rainy weather, using the recirculation button can fog up the windscreen.

"If that happens, turn off the recirculation, turn on the defrost and increase the cabin temperature for a bit to clear the glass," Smith advised. "Once it is clear, you can adjust back to normal but with the recirculation off."

Boyzie urged drivers to take nothing for granted, not even a button on the dash.

"Road safety a nuh only how yuh drive, people have to service dem car and know how things work inna them car. The more you know the better you can react," Boyzie said.