Ford makes 'Drugged Driving Suit' to simulate drugged driving

Kuala Lumpur: As part of the Ford Driving Skills for Life initiative, Ford developed a "Drugged Driving Suit" that shows how the human body acts behind the wheel after the consumption of drugs.

The easiest way to help people understand the consequences of their actions is to put them in situations where they face the respective consequences. Everybody agrees that getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is quite a dangerous way to create awareness about the perils of driving while high.

Ford realises this and has created a unique "Drugged Driving Suit". The suit was developed together with scientists from the Meyer-Hentschel Institute in Germany to simulate some of the effects of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin and ecstasy; including slower reaction time, distorted vision, hand tremors and poor coordination.

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"Driving after taking illegal drugs can have potentially fatal consequences for the driver, their passengers, and other road users," said James Graham, global program manager for Ford Driving Skills for Life. "We have already seen first-hand the eye-opening effect that our Drunk Driving Suit has had on those who wear it, and are confident that our new Drugged Driving Suit will have a similar impact."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths involve drugs other than alcohol. The NHTSA also surveyed drivers and found that 22 percent tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs that could impair driving. The 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that nearly 10 million people reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs.

"We know that some drugs can cause trembling hands, so we incorporated a device into the suit that creates just such a tremor," said Gundolf Meyer-Hentschel, CEO of the Meyer-Hentschel Institute. "Drug users sometimes see flashing lights in their peripheral field, an effect recreated by our goggles, while imaginary sounds are generated by the headphones. Additionally, the goggles distort perception, and produce colorful visual sensations – a side effect of LSD use."

The Drugged Driving Suit works in a way similar to the Drunk Driving Suit Ford introduced last year. It uses strategically-placed weights and heavy padding reduces mobility in the arms and legs while goggles and headphones reduce awareness. These result in changes to the driver's coordination, which all together means slower reaction and a more difficult time controlling the vehicle.

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Driving a car with a “drugged driving suit” will be included in Ford Driving Skills for Life’s driver education programme which provide driving training for people around the world.