High tech simulator teaches driver safety at Morningside - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

High tech simulator teaches driver safety at Morningside

Posted:
By Forrest Saunders, Multimedia Journalist - email
Storn Olson shows off UNITE's virtual reality goggles. Storn Olson shows off UNITE's virtual reality goggles.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -

It might look like an elaborate video game, but the lessons it teaches could save your life.

Safe driving advocacy group UNITE brought their high tech driving simulator to Sioux City's Morningside College campus, Thursday.

It shows folks just how difficult it can be to drive drunk or text and drive.

Participants strap on the virtual reality goggles and have a seat in a real car. The vehicle doesn't move, instead it runs a computer program and sensors pick up movements to the steering wheel, gas, and brake pedals.

Officials say trying it will open your eyes.

"It seems to be pretty effective. Students really seem to grasp what we are talking about. They go through the simulator and typically they drive pretty poorly on there," said UNITE Driving Awareness Instructor Storn Olson.

UNITE officials warn the number one cause of death for teens between 14 and 19 is automobile crashes.

Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KTIV Television Inc. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance with issues relating to the content of this station's public inspection file should contact Administrative Assistant Kathy Clayton at (712) 239-4100 x209. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, at 888-835-5322 (TTY) or at fccinfo@fcc.gov.