Drivewise Chatham News
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Chatham
DriveWise Simulator Provides Lesson in Drunk Driving
Feeling effects without risk
SIMULATOR PROVIDES LESSON IN DRUNK DRIVING
Posted By AARON HALL, THE DAILY NEWS
Updated 1 month ago
When I got ready to begin my work week yesterday, I had no idea I would be drunk by 1 p. m.
About half way through my shift, I decided to jump behind a wheel and drive through a residential part of town.
I managed to drive through people's lawns, run various stop signs, hit a couple of innocent pedestrians and even strike a poor little dog trying to cross the road.
Fortunately my driving escapades were connected with my use of the driving simulator at the Drive Wise Driver Education Centre in Chatham.
The device features three screens, a makeshift seat and steering wheel -- giving you a very real perspective of driving.
My impairment was linked to wearing a pair of Drunk Busters Impairment Goggles, which simulates the effects of impairment, including reduced alertness, slowed reaction time, among others.
Dan Giroux, an instructor at Drive Wise, said factoring in the goggles is similar to someone being "drunk" or well over the legal limit.
The program features a vehicle driving on the roadway and factors in various conditions, including ice, and erratic drivers.
When I first sat in the seat and bore the goggles, I noticed I could not judge exactly where to place my hands on the wheel.
As I finally began moving forward in the vehicle, struggling to focus, I could barely spot a school bus parked on the side of the road.
While driving, the lines on the road and even the side of the road was blurry, distorted and difficult to decipher
When checking my rearview mirrors and side mirrors, I found myself becoming dizzy, off-balance and having trouble focusing back on the road in front.
Becoming literally nauseous, I took the goggles off and ended the simulation. This was not before I stopped the simulated car sideways and into oncoming traffic.
Const. Aaron McPhail of the Chatham- Kent OPP invited reporters yesterday to test the simulator and gain a better perspective of the realties of drinking and driving.
"It is very similar to what you would see if you were actually impaired," McPhail said.
"What it is missing is when you do become impaired you lack the ability to rationalize things."
The OPP will be out in full force this holiday season setting up random RIDE programs throughout Chatham-Kent to combat the issue of impaired driving.
The initiative runs from Nov. 28 to Jan. 2
Experiencing first hand the potential effects of impaired driving, its scary to think people actually drive "real" cars in this condition.
Clink on link below for video
Posted December 3rd, 2010