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Sheriff's office unveils new simulator to train first responders, students in defensive driving

By Kaley Lynch, Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y. on

Published in Senior Living Features

PENDLETON -- Sitting behind the wheel of the Niagara County Sheriff's Office's brand new driving simulator feels very much like sitting in a real car.

The high-tech machine features three screens to simulate a windshield and two windows, and the engine "revs" when users accelerate.

Although it might feel a bit like a video game, the simulator is designed to give law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS responders -- and high school students -- the training they need to react safely in dangerous or stressful situations on the road.

"We might never know if we've saved a life with the simulator, but I think this is an investment that probably will save lives," Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour said Thursday at a press conference at Starpoint High School.

Niagara County Sheriff's deputies and correction officers, and members of police departments in the county, will be trained using the simulator. It has two "cockpits" to allow two people to use it at once and it will give law enforcement officers practice in pursuit driving as well as other conditions.

"Our goal is to get several hours of training for each officer," Voutour said.

Statistics indicate more than 50 law enforcement officers die each year in the line of duty as a result of traffic-related accidents.

"As law enforcement officers, we sometimes think that we're invincible and that we can travel at 100 mph to come save someone," Voutour said. "Sadly, in the month of March alone, nine law enforcement officers lost their lives on the job as a result of traffic accidents."

Sheriff's Office personnel will train members of other police departments in how to instruct on the simulator, so that the simulator can be dropped off at their stations and used at leisure.

"We wanted this to be a shared project," Voutour said. "When we talked to the contributors, we said, 'This isn't just a Sheriff's Department toy, we want to share it and have it travel all over the county."

The simulator will also be used to train volunteer and paid firefighters and EMS responders throughout the county. It will be featured at the NCSD's annual Traffic Safety Fair for students in May.

About 3,000 youths will be trained using the simulator at the traffic fair, Voutour said.

The simulator will be made available to high schools throughout the county to train students, particularly around prom season, he added.

"We're not going to be teaching kids how to drive, we're teaching them to be aware of obstacles," he said.

Simulated obstacles will include slippery, snowy road conditions, fog, and driving while texting or intoxicated.

 

Some Starpoint students were able to try the simulator after the press conference Thursday.

Senior Marissa DiMaria said it felt very realistic.

"You really feel like you're driving an actual car. It helps you realize what your reaction time is really like," she said.

"It definitely tests your skills and your reflexes," added senior Jacob Graham.

The simulator was a brainchild of Starpoint principal Gil Licata, who spoke with Voutour about eight years ago regarding ways to help students stay safe while driving.

"It's an investment, but I think if you ask any parent who's lost a child if they think it's worth it, they'd say yes," said Voutour, himself a father with one child of driving age.

The simulator, made by Binghamton-based Doron Precision Systems, cost $300,000. About a third of the funding came from a grant from the New York State Senate, a third from the Grigg Lewis Foundation, and a substantial amount from the United Way of Greater Niagara.

The sheriff's department's contribution was $20,000. The money was included in the department's 2016 budget, Voutour said.

NCSD also recently initiated a traffic safety committee to help deputies drive safer. The core values of the committee are to use seat belts in cruisers, for deputies to wear their vests while on the road, to avoid distractions while driving, and to slow down slightly when responding to calls.

"If you drive 100 mph to a call instead of 80 mph over 10 miles, your time savings might be less than 20 seconds, yet your risk is probably 10 times more than it would be if you were traveling at 80 mph," Voutour said. "We have an extremely comprehensive plan to increase the safety of our driving."

(c)2016 the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)

Visit the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) at www.niagara-gazette.com

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(c) Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

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