FDOT buys new driving simulator to help curb distracted driving, will be used in schools

Jacksonville, FL — It could show up in your child's classroom.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has purchased a driving simulator, known as the Virtual Driver Interactive from One Simple Decision, that they hope will help curb distracted and impaired driving among teenagers.

According to FDOT, the simulator allows teens to experience the first-hand dangers and consequences of distracted driving, using things like simulated drivers, interactive quizzers, first-person consequence videos, and more.

"Distracted and impaired driving are major factors in many crashes that result in injuries or fatalities. It is a concerning trend and we hope that this technology can help us warn students of the dangers associated with these acts and prevent future crashes," says Greg Evans, FDOT District 2 Secretary.

The FDOT says the technology will be used in schools across North Florida to highlight the dangers that drivers face every day.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015. Their stats also show that teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the times of deadly crashes.