What's Happening in Dallas, TX…

The Texas Transportation Department has introduced a distracted driving simulator to the Dallas office to help raise awareness of the dangers of driving without paying full attention to the road. During an appearance at a yearly health fair at Denbury Resources this month, a number of employees tried out the simulator.

One employee, Gary Sisto got into the pickup truck to ‘drive’ using a TV screen in front of him. He was ordered by the safety specialist from the Texas Department of Transportation to start texting on his cell phone. Sisto crashed into another vehicle on the road, although fortunately for all concerned, the road and vehicle were virtual.

During the last few months, the Texas Department of Transport has been travelling to events across North Texas to raise awareness of distracted driving at schools, company events and festivals. According to officials, over 90,000 crashes occurred in 2012 as a result of distracted driving. Around 450 people died and more than 18,000 people were seriously injured. Although simulators for distracted driving have been available for a few years, this version actually has a vehicle placed on coasters so that the wheels turn. The driver can either wear special glasses for the driving experience or use a special TV screen in front of them.

Although the distracted driving experience is already popular, promotion using the local catalog printing services will probably be used to raise awareness of the benefits. Although drivers are unlikely to face so many distractions all at one time, the simulator will certainly prepare them for the worst.