Simulator hits home with a bang

I’M driving along a straight road on a clear, sunny day, when all of a sudden – BOOM.

I’ve looked down at my phone for about two seconds, causing me to veer off the road and straight into the path of a tree.

Luckily it’s all a simulation and I can just restart and continue on my way but in real life distracted drivers, or the other motorists they hit, don’t have the same luxury.

The simulator, the creation of Driver Safety Australia’s Russell White, is used to re-create real-life situations on the road in schools, shopping centres, corporate events and training.

Within minutes of driving along the virtual countryside my phone goes off, I look down to check it and veer off the road.

Then I try to reply but keep making typos. I take my eyes off the road for longer to get my reply finished and I crash.

Mr White said the simulator was an eye-opener for teenage and adult drivers.

“We really don’t realise how much of our focus it takes off the road – the consequences can be devastating,” he said.

Terry White pharmacist Jim Vingas jumped behind the wheel of the simulator, keen to see how dangerous distraction can really be.

Mr Vingas was driving when his phone went off and as he struggled to read the text his car veered into oncoming traffic. This was repeated several times as he attempted to reply.

Mr Vingas said he was surprised by the results.

“I don’t use my phone in the car so I have never attempted to text at the wheel,” he said.

“To see how easily the car drifts when you look away from the road for just a few seconds is scary.

“This is a great way to educate people.”