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Test Drive ODOT’s Distracted Driver Simulator.
 

 Simulator Pixs

 
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Road Safety

ODOT is Taking Roadway Safety to the Streets
Through the “Every Move You Make - Keep it Safe” campaign, ODOT is launching a public education effort to increase roadway users’ knowledge of and compliance with traffic laws. Two areas – intersections and roadway departures – account for 65% of all highway fatalities. Many of these crashes are preventable if people avoid distractions, drive sober, wear seat belts and helmets, and follow the law.

Keeping it Safe
ODOT is working on the grassroots level to distribute roadway safety information statewide via tip cards, events, public service radio campaigns, web videos and a driving simulator. Partnerships with local law enforcement, schools, bicycle and motorcycle clubs, and others will help spread the safety message to all Ohioans.

  Traffic Crash Facts at a Glance:    

  • 2.7 fatalities daily
  • One person killed every 8 hours on roadways
  • 297 people injured daily on roadways
  • 40% of all fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver
  • 35% of crashes happen after dark
  • About 85% of Ohioans use a seat belt. Seat belts significantly increase your chances of surviving a crash.
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ODOT "Distracted Driver Simulator Tour” Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance
 
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is presenting the Distracted Driver Simulator Tour at safety events statewide this year in partnership with program sponsor Nationwide Insurance.

View the photos over on the left below (or click here) to see what the simulator looks like in action recently at the Ohio State Fair.
 
The Distracted Driver Simulator Tour is part of ODOT’s comprehensive roadway safety campaign, “Every Move you Make, Keep it Safe” which provides Ohioans with information on how to use the roads safely – whether they get around on foot, by vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle. 

In 2010, there were nearly 300,000 crashes across Ohio with more than 1,000 deaths and 10,000 serious injuries. Many of these crashes could be prevented through increased safety awareness and safer driving practices.”

Crashes cost Ohio nearly $13 billion a year. Many of these crashes occur at busy intersections and on high-speed rural roads where run-off-road crashes are common and deadly.

Safety is ODOT’s number one priority. Ohio’s goal is to reduce roadway fatalities 5 percent by 2015 – saving 150 lives.”   
 
The Distracted Driver Simulator features a computer-generated simulation.  It is  presented on a three-screen interactive display that depicts realistic driving scenarios on suburban and rural roads, as well as highways. The simulator set-up includes a steering wheel, turn indicators, gas and brake pedals. 
 
After buckling up, the driver takes the wheel and must drive with distractions or with impaired abilities such as those caused by drug or alcohol use. In the distracted driver scenario, the participant receives a phone call, sends a text message and listens to passenger conversations while navigating roadways. In either scenario, it doesn’t take long before the driver makes an error and is involved in a crash that results in realistic simulated interactions with police, medical staff and a judge. 
 
We prefer in-door events because the computer equipment can be damaged by rain.  Outdoor events can be reserved, but the equipment cannot be used if there is a credible threat of rain.
 
Organizations can request the simulator via the request form located on this web page.  Priority is given to day-long events with a large number of people and a high probability of reaching young drivers. The department is also looking for events that can draw media interest, as the goal of the simulator is to educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving.  

 

Test Drive ODOT’s Distracted Driver Simulator at One of These Events!
Location/EventUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
Date(s)Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
Milan / Versailles Jun. 01 to Mar. 05, 2012
Eldora SpeedwayJun. 06 to Jun. 11, 2012
ODOT D10 Bring Your Child to WorkJun. 11 to Jun. 13, 2012
ODOT Road-eo, District 5Jun. 14 to Jun. 18, 2012
ODOT District 5 RoadeoJun. 14 to Jun. 18, 2012
Duke Energy, 59 Caldwell, Cincinnati OHJun. 20 to Jun. 25, 2012
Central State University / ODOT COJun. 25 to Jun. 27, 2012
Eldora SpeedwayJul. 13 to Jul. 16, 2012
Carroll Co FairJul. 17 to Jul. 24, 2012
Ohio State Fair - M.MayJul. 25 to Aug. 08, 2012
Pike County FairJul. 27 to Aug. 06, 2012
Scioto Co. FairAug. 07 to Aug. 09, 2012
Allen County FairAug. 16 to Aug. 25, 2012
ODOT D12/Brecksville Broadview Hts High SchoolAug. 17 to Aug. 20, 2012
Rhodes Center, 17th Avenue, ColumbusAug. 28 to Aug. 29, 2012
Highland County Fair; area high school visitsSep. 06 to Sep. 17, 2012
Tuscarawas Co FairSep. 18 to Sep. 25, 2012
Univ of Findlay, Health & Wellness FairSep. 26 to Sep. 28, 2012
Brown County FairSep. 26 to Sep. 29, 2012
Morrow County Safe Communities / Morrow Co HS BldgsOct. 01 to Oct. 05, 2012
East Knox High School - Pre Homecoming EventOct. 11 to Oct. 15, 2012
General Health District Zero-Proof Mix Off @ Lorain Comm CollegeDec. 04 to Dec. 07, 2012