Impaired Driving Simulator Car
February 9, 2005 - 16:01
How Did We Do It?
The Fatal Vision Impaired Driving Simulator
Partnerships:
O.P.P. (pivotal role)
Fort Frances High School
Community Policing Committee
Ron's Autobody
Northwestern Health Unit
SAP team
This unique method for allowing to safely simulate driving while impaired was completed in 1999 with the help from the above partners.
The Fatal Vision Impaired Driving Simulator is a shell of a car with the motor and all other components taken out. The front axle is the way in which we steer the car. The tires, gas and brake pedals, windshield, windows and the seats remain on/in the vehicle.
The participant puts the Fatal Vision Goggles (from Innocorp., Verona, WI) on and attempts to put a set of keys into the door lock of the car before he/she enters the car. He/she then sits in the car and may attempt to put on their seat belt. The participant then uses the steering wheel, and gas and brake pedals just as they would in a normal car. A power-point projector is set up in the back seat. A Nintendo game is hooked up to the projector (and the steering wheel too) and projects a driving game ("Driver") on to a screen in front of the car. The participant attempts to "drive" the car to the best of their abilities. The game is over when one of the following occurs:
- The participant plays until the time limit has expired.
- The participant "rolls" the car during the game,
- The participant damages the car too extensively and it will no longer "run."
At the completion of the driving game, the participant is asked to get out of the car and perform a roadside sobriety test. This sobriety test appears to be much more effective if it is performed by a police officer.