Simulating impaired driving dangers

(Updated) CHCH’s Nicole Martin has discovered first hand how dangerous it is to drive impaired, through a simulation exercise put on by Peel Regional Police and Ford Canada.

The interactive demonstration allowed sober drivers to experience the physical limitations of impairment, by getting behind the wheel wearing a special driving suit.

“First thing we are going to get you to do, is put the vehicle in drive and slalom the cones all the way to the end.”

Constable Joel Genoe calls it “an innovative approach to educating the public in the dangers, if you will, of impaired driving and essentially the effects.”

Drivers went through the track with limited vision and mobility mimicking the effects of drugs or alcohol.

As Nizam Ahmed of Whiteoak Ford explains, “it has been designed to reduce your motion, so in your ankle movement, your knee movement, elbow movement, your wrist movement, because these are all a part of your driving.”

Martin had the drunk goggles on the, noise cancelling headphones, neck brace, knee braces, and also some weights on her wrists and ankle. She then did a sobriety test with a Peel Police officer.

“You are going to take 9 heel to toe steps down the line, and you have to keep your hands down by your side.” The sobriety test paints a clear picture of how bad coordination becomes.

Drivewise instructor Tim Danter was the first one in the suit today to test out the track. “For anyone out there thinking they can drink and drive, forget it.”

“I was totally stone cold sober and had the impairments put on me and, I’m used to pylons in my driving career and this was not what I expected.”

Police festive RIDE programs have kicked off and stations like this one are set up equipped with breathalizer tests. Peel’s program has already led to several arrests in Mississauga and Brampton.