Driver simulator launched in Young | Video

The simulator can provide drivers of all ages varied lessons under different driving conditions with the aim of improving safety on rural roads.

Local Rotarian Frank Lincoln said the simulator will be based at the Young Police Citizens Youth Club and has already had a positive impact on the community.

"The fact it has been proven that this simulator heightens the awareness of safety issues to those who have used it is a positive step to better road safety habits from our learner drivers," he said.

"Lessons on the simulator are designed to improve skills of all drivers, young and older and it will prove to be useful for more experienced drivers to brush up on their skills as well as new drivers to learn valuable skills."

Young High School student Trinity Trantino said she had a very positive experience using the driver training simulator.

"I was surprised with how realistic the simulator was," she said. "I was placed into a wide variety of situations with different driving conditions. 

“I was also given the opportunity to simulate the effects of driving while intoxicated to understand the dangers and the effects on a driver while being completely safe, I also experienced the difficulties of using a mobile device while driving.

"Using the simulator has encouraged me to exercise safe driving practices and I encourage everyone to use it to better their driving skills and well as learn safe driving."

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the local Rotary and their partners have provided a valuable asset to the Young community.

"When we look at our rural communities and we look at the road toll across the nation, there is no doubt the road toll is higher in rural areas," she said.

"We need to do everything we can to ensure our young people particularly are as safe as they possibly can be and a lot of that is the education they have in learning to drive.”