The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Driving simulator helping save lives
Distracted driving is becoming an epidemic and the Maria Tiberius Foundation, along with the Lorain County JVS, are hoping to change that.
The goal of the foundation is to encourage better driving training and bring awareness of all types of driving distractions, as well as help to prevent accidents related to distractions.
Over 90 percent of the money raised through this foundation is allocated to purchasing driving simulators and placing them with school districts and police departments who will use them to educate young drivers.
One simulator, which was funded by a donation from Columbia Gas of Ohio, was given to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. This simulator is being used by the students of Lorain County JVS, thanks to the efforts of JVS School Resource Officer Deputy Anthony Pluta.
Pluta said he knew having the simulator at the JVS would have the potential to reach so many students throughout Lorain County. “We have students from 13 different school districts under one roof, so we have a great opportunity to get in front of so many new and young drivers,” Pluta said.
According to Pluta, the simulator allows these young drivers to experience the real dangers of distracted driving, without being in a real accident.
The driving simulator operates like any vehicle would. The driver sits in the machine and a simulated driving experience appears on the screen in front of you. There are local speed limits posted, and a series of distractions start to occur; a dog runs out in front of the car, a child runs into the street after a ball, or you come upon an accident and traffic is stopped.
The simulator then asks the driver to make a phone call or text a friend. These actions distract the driver and show them just how quickly things can change in the road and while driving, and how fast accidents happen.
Lorain County JVS is committed to promoting safe and distraction-free driving during the entire school year. With prom season just around the corner and seat belt awareness week taking place the week of May 1; which is a countywide program through the Lorain County Safety Collation; the JVS will have the simulator set up on campus for students to use.
“If we can reach just one student and have them put the phone down, to not speed and to not be distracted while driving, this program is worth it,” said Pluta.