By Rosie-Ann Grover
The Hamilton Spectator
ONTARIO, Canada — They ran stop signs and hit pedestrians.
Some rammed school buses full of children or crashed into paramedics.
The Hamilton police traffic unit invited the public to experience a Drive Wise Simulator on Tuesday.
The two-tonne, three-screen unit set up outside Old Navy in Lime Ridge Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. allowed users to see how texting and driving really works.
“It would be a terrible thing to live with if someone was injured or lost a life for a Facebook posting,” said Constable Wes Wilson.
Police are wrapping up a nine-month campaign aimed at distracted driving that saw more than 4,000 tickets issued. Wilson himself has issued 600 of those tickets to local drivers since February for texting on their phones to friends or giving social media updates.
Officers running the Drive Wise simulation Tuesday first asked participants to text while driving.
Amy MacQueen, 26, nearly hit a simulated train and a minivan.
“People are getting faster on their phones,” she said. “We’re the generation of multi-tasking. The simulator shows texting while driving does make a difference.”
Next, police fitted drivers with a pair of goggles that approximate what a driver sees after consuming about four beers. The person was asked to continue texting while being “drunk” and still driving.
“I thought it was very helpful. It made things very real,” said Alyssa Ryzebol, 23. “It shows how dangerous it can be. You need to be aware at all times.”
While crowds laughed at the simulated crashing and cars veering from the road, police were clear that distracted driving can kill.
“We’ve gone to unmarked vehicles for this selected enforcement,” says Wilson.
“There are so many drivers out there that are still using their phones. Go to any intersection where drivers are stopped at the light. You’ll see them with their heads down.”
Wilson said one of the worst violations he can remember was stopping an 18-year-old man on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. While he wasn’t speeding, the teen was texting with both hands on the phone and steering with his kneecaps.
Transport Canada reports a driver is four times more likely to crash while using a cellphone and up to 23 times more likely to do so while texting.
The fine is $155 with no demerit points.
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