Distracted driving simulation an eyeopener for students

Some high school students in Corner Brook will likely take on safer driving habits, after trying out a simulator that shows the consequences of driving and texting at the same time.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary brought the simulator to Corner Brook Regional High to teach students the dangers of driving while distracted.

Const. Scott Mosher said the simulation will tests the driving skills of the students while they talk to passengers, make phone calls orsend text messages.

"That's the type of distraction these students are going to face when they get their licence and continue to drive," said Mosher.

Mosher said distracted drivers are a regular concern in Corner Brook, and other areas of the province.

"It's not always an easy thing to enforce. I see the same thing that you do lots of tops of heads when we drive around. It's through education and through things like this to try and drive home that point it is a dangerous behaviour to be involved in," he said.

Matt Colbourne got his driver's licence a few months ago, and said the simulation was surprisingly realistic.

Colbourne said he's been tempted to text while behind the wheel before, but will think twice after he crashed virtuallyduring Wednesday's demonstration.

"You had to respond to your passenger's friend and you had to pretendto be your passenger and say, 'Hey, it's Mark.' It was especially hard to write it whenyou were driving, focuson the road and focus on your phone at the same time," said Colbourne.

"You gotta realize that you gotta keepit in your pocket, and if you take it out it's a big risk you're taking, and there's no need to take it."

Mosher and the RNCare providing similar simulations at high schools across the west coast of the island throughout the week.