Ford's 'Drugged Driving Suit' Encourages Sober Youth Driving

Driving while intoxicated is reckless and, unfortunately, too common, especially among young drivers. Various organizations and auto makers have come up with ways to tackle the problem, the latest of which is Ford. The company recently unveiled its 'Drugged Driving Suit,' a suit of sorts that simulates what it is like to drive while under the influence of various illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.

Ford cites the NHTSA as part of its effort, saying that about 18-percent of driver deaths involved an intoxicant other than alcohol. The auto maker developed its Drugged Driving Suit as part of its Ford Driving Skills for Life, a free educational program designed for novice drivers. The suit was developed in conjunction with researchers from the Meyer-Hentschel Institute in Germany.

The suit simulates some of the effects of drugs, such as hand tremors and reduced coordination, distorted vision, and slower reaction times. This follows Ford's development and use of the "Drunk Driving Suit," which is self-explanatory.

This latest suit features headphones and goggles, ankle weights, and more. The weights serve to slow down reaction time, neck bandages restrict one's head movements, the glasses cause flashing lights, tunnel vision, and blurred vision, and the headphones play detracting sounds.

SOURCE: Ford