10/5/04

Teens and Others Will Get a Chance to See What DWI Is Like-- Without Risk

New driving simulator will also show what it’s like to drive on wet road, lose control of a vehicle 

A dose of reality without the consequences – that’s the purpose of equipment that the county is about to purchase that will let users see what it is like to drive drunk or too fast or on wet roads. 

The plan to buy a “driving simulator system” was announced today by County Executive Andy Spano, who asked for state funds to purchase the system, and state Sen. Nicholas Spano, who obtained the $170,000 grant for Westchester. 

As part of the county’s ongoing effort to prevent drunk driving -- as well as driving errors commonly associated with inexperience -- the driving simulator will be taken to Westchester high schools. The county hopes to begin the program within 18 months. 

“This driving simulator will give us a way to provide our teens – and others – with real-life training in a safe and controlled environment,” said County Executive Spano. “Drivers will learn what it feels like to drive a car when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs; or to drive a car too fast when the roads are slippery. I thank Sen. Spano for following up on our request to get us the money to buy this equipment.”

Sen. Spano said, “When it comes to using modern technology to help keep its residents safe, Westchester County has consistently been on the cutting edge. I am pleased that I was able to secure these funds. This equipment will allow the user to experience real-life driving conditions and challenges in a safe environment. This will be particularly helpful to inexperienced, young drivers who might not otherwise have an opportunity to experience these challenges – until it is too late.”

The simulator itself will cost $105,000. In addition, the state grant will pay for the purchase of a trailer, so the simulator can go from place to place, including the area’s many high schools. 

The program will be run by the county’s Department of Public Safety. As such, it would be in conjunction with an ongoing program run by the county’s Traffic Safety Division of Public Works designed to reduce injuries and fatalities from car crashes by encouraging teens to use seat belts. The "Save Your Face, Click it or Ticket Westchester" campaign uses a state Police “rollover” and a “convincer” to show teens what it feels like to be in an accident and not have a seat belt. The successful program reached 26 high schools last year. As part of the program, the department also developed a website devoted to teen driving issues: www.westchestergov.com/teendriving

The new driving simulator can recreate many real road conditions and situations, including alcohol and drug use, speed, night driving, vehicle control, and adverse weather conditions, such as fog, rain, snow and sun glare. 

According to County Executive Spano, drivers under the age of 18 account for about 2 percent of the licensed drivers in Westchester, but were involved in 4 percent of the personal injury and fatal accidents in 2000. Additionally, they were involved in 7 percent of the alcohol-related crashes and 7 percent of the arrests. 

The driving simulator could also be made available to other groups, outside of high schools. For example, it could be used to sharpen the skills of older drivers.